Vanguard Magazine

O OCEANS PROTECTION PLAN 34 JUNE/JULY 2017 www.vanguardcanada.com ants with unlimited compensation by re- moving the Fund's per-incident limit of liability. There will be a guaranteed fund top-up, so that in the unlikely event that the Fund is depleted, funds would be recouped through a special levy on those companies who import and export oil by ship. A world-class marine safety system must also be secure. Maritime domain aware- ness means being aware of anything in the marine domain that could threaten Canada's national security. It requires a coordinated effort. The Canadian gov- ernment is working with stakeholders and global partners to reduce marine security risks and achieve greater maritime do- main awareness. These efforts contribute to the security, safety, and prosperity of Canadians and of our allies. Protecting and restoring Canada's marine ecosystems Through the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada will preserve and restore coastal marine ecosystems that are vulnerable to increased marine shipping. Working closely with marine stakehold- ers and Indigenous and coastal commu- nities, they will create a program to bet- ter understand the marine environment in areas where there is a high volume of vessel traffic. This data will help detect changes in the ecosystem and increase awareness of how shipping affects Can- ada's marine environment. This will in- clude working closely with domestic and international partners to reduce vessel noise in the critical habitat of the South- ern Resident Killer Whale, off the coast of British Columbia. There will also be a national strat- egy launched to address the hundreds of abandoned and derelict vessels in Canadi- an waters, which pose a risk to the marine environment and public health. Strengthening partnerships with coastal and Indigenous communities For the next few years, the Government of Canada will partner with people across Canada – from marine stakeholders to Indigenous and local communities – to Coastal restoration priority areas include, but are not limited to: • Placentia Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador • Bay of Islands, Newfoundland and Labrador • St. John Harbour and the mouth of the St. John River, New Brunswick • St. Lawrence Estuary, Quebec • Gulf of St. Lawrence • Northumberland Strait • Bay of Fundy • Bras d'Or Lake, Nova Scotia • Fraser River, British Columbia • Strait of Georgia, British Columbia • Skeena River, British Columbia Pilotage Authorities in Canada The Atlantic Pilotage Authority provides pilot- age services for waters surrounding: • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia • Newfoundland and Labrador • Prince Edward Island The Laurentian Pilotage Authority provides pilotage services for vessels transiting in the: • St. Lawrence River • Saguenay River The Great Lakes Pilotage Authority provides pilotage services for the: • Great Lakes • Port of Churchill The Pacific Pilotage Authority provides pilot- age services for the: • Coastal waters of British Columbia • Fraser River Source: Transport Canada "With increased Coast Guard capacity, the Government of Canada will be in a better position to work closely with Indigenous and local communities to assess risks and respond quickly to marine emergencies and pollution incidents."

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