Canada is hosting the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress
Recently the fifth ‘International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC-5)’ has been held in Vancouver, Canada.
IMPAC-5 is a global platform. It brings together professional ocean conservationists and high-level officials to share information, inspire conservation and take action on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Its goal is to protect 30 percent of the global oceans by 2030. This target will be achieved under the 30×30 campaign.
It supports the following-
- Kunming – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework;
- Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility Call for Action; And
- Ocean conservation resolution
It was jointly organized by the Host First Nations (Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh) in association with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPWS), the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia.
A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a part of the ocean where the government restricts human activities.
Currently, about 7.65% of the oceans are covered by MPAs. These are notified as ‘National Parks’ or ‘Wildlife Sanctuaries’ under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Why are MPAs needed?
- They protect marine habitats and the variety of organisms that live in them.
- Help identify areas for cruise tourism and expand local economic options.
- Generate income through tourism and sustainable fishing.
- They enable us to cope with climate change, as they reduce threats to humans by protecting coastal habitats.
Source – The Hindu
