As such, it actively seeks the participation of other agencies and the public to achieve its goals. The passage of the Canada Oceans Act reaffirms Canada's sovereign oceans rights and confirms Canada's commitment to the conservation and protection of our nation's oceans and marine resources. This act outlines our duties and responsibilities and it introduces a new oceans management model. This model promotes the sustainable management of our oceans and their resources. The establishment of marine protected areas, the integrated planning of activities affecting oceans, and the development of marine ecosystem health measures are some of the programs stemming from the passage of the Canada Oceans Act .
Fish habitats are the many complex ecological environments that support our fisheries resources.
Often times it is difficult to appreciate fish habitat because it is hidden from view, or it may look worthless to our human eyes. Yet, it may be the mud flat in front of your cottage that sustains the food chain, and indirectly, the lucrative fishery in your area. To function properly, fish habitats must include all of its components. For example, in our estuaries we must have salt marshes because they recycle the nutrients needed to produce plankton, we must have the movements of tides to renew the food and the oxygen in the water. Passages, free of obstacles, allow fish like salmon, smelts, gaspareau to move to their spawning grounds from the ocean, and back.