National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) are designed to support both conservation and sustainable use. Sustainable commercial and recreational fishing can continue within designated zones of an NMCA.

Commercial fishing, other than bottom trawling, is permitted in specific areas, determined through a zoning process. These zones are established in collaboration with fishers, local communities, and Indigenous governments to ensure that existing sustainable fisheries, such as lobster and crab, can continue unless otherwise agreed upon through local consultation.

Commercial fishing and harvesting activities will remain regulated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) under the Fisheries Act and in accordance with the NMCA’s management plan.

The NMCA boundary was designed to respect existing fishing activity and sites. In other words, current and planned fishing areas were considered during the boundary selection process.

There are two main types of zones within an NMCA:

1. Fully protected zones – No hunting, fishing, trapping, or harvesting is allowed.

2. Ecologically sustainable use zones – Fishing, hunting, trapping, and harvesting are permitted in a sustainable manner.

Fully protected zones will make up less than 5% of the total NMCA area.

Shellfish and seaweed farming — which have smaller environmental impacts and can benefit Indigenous partners and local communities — would be allowed in certain parts of an NMCA, as long as they follow DFO and provincial licensing rules.

However, the use of drugs and pesticides for finfish farming would not be allowed within an NMCA.  To accommodate this, the NMCA boundary was specifically designed around existing and potential finfish aquaculture sites to ensure they remain outside the area.

National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) help grow local economies in a way that also protects the environment. They create and support jobs in fishing, tourism, shipping, research, and conservation. In fact, building strong local economies is one of the main goals included in many NMCA management plans.

When a new NMCA is created, it often brings major federal investment that directly benefits nearby communities. For example:

• The Tallurutiup Imanga NMCA in Nunavut received $54.8 million in funding between 2019 and 2026.

• On British Columbia’s Central Coast, the federal government is investing $109.6 million over 11 years to develop a new NMCA.

These investments help create jobs, strengthen local businesses, and support industries that depend on healthy oceans.

NMCAs also diversify local economies by opening new opportunities for coastal and Indigenous communities — from sustainable fishing to tourism and ocean research. Across the country, Parks Canada sites like these generate billions of dollars each year and support tens of thousands of jobs, showing how conservation and economic growth can work hand in hand.

The idea for an NMCA on the Southwest Coast started with local leadership. The Towns in the region — led by Burgeo Town Council — first asked to be considered for an NMCA  in 2003.

Since signing an agreement (MOU) in June 2023, Parks Canada has been leading the planning process to complete a feasibility study on the south coast fjords NMCA. This work includes strong input from local communities and Indigenous partners to make sure everyone’s voice is heard.

NMCAs are built on partnership and collaboration. They make sure local knowledge and Indigenous perspectives help guide every decision. Other NMCAs across Canada, like Gwaii Haanas and Saguenay–St. Lawrence, show how working together can bring both environmental and economic benefits. The South Coast NMCA has the same potential — to protect our waters while creating new opportunities for local growth and sustainability.

Yes! Studies and polling show strong public support for National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs), with no evidence that they reduce employment when local use continues.

Recent polling in 2025 shows overwhelming support for marine conservation in Newfoundland and Labrador. A March 2025 survey found that 86% of Newfoundlanders view marine conservation as essential to sustaining fisheries. Support is especially strong in the proposed NMCA region, with 90% of South Coast residents and 72% of Burin Peninsula residents in favour of the NMCA. Only 3–4% were opposed.

Parks Canada uses a four-level zoning system to guide what activities can take place within a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA):

1. Full Protection Zones – areas fully protected from extractive use (no fishing or harvesting).

2. Sustainable Use Zones – areas where activities like fishing or aquaculture can continue in a responsible way.

3. Seasonal or Gear-Based Restrictions – areas with rules that vary by season or type of fishing gear.

4. General Use Areas – areas open to most traditional and ongoing marine activities.

Zoning is customized for each NMCA, based on local ecology and community input. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

NMCAs are designed to balance ocean protection with continued access. Zoning can be planned to accommodate vessel traffic, including boats used for fishing, recreation, and tourism. Existing ocean users are part of the planning process, and each NMCA is co-developed with local communities, Indigenous governments, and stakeholders.

For example, the Gwaii Haanas NMCA was co-designed with the Haida Nation and reflects local needs and priorities — showing that NMCAs are tailored, not imposed.

The National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) is designed to keep our ocean healthy so that fisheries can continue to support local communities for years to come. By protecting key habitats and managing marine use responsibly, the NMCA helps fish populations stay strong and productive.

For today’s fishers, this means a more stable and sustainable resource base. For future generations, it means healthy oceans that can continue to provide food, jobs, and cultural connections.

The NMCA also encourages collaboration with fishers, Indigenous partners, and coastal communities to share knowledge and make sure traditional and commercial fishing can continue in ways that protect the marine environment. Together, we can ensure that fishing remains a proud and lasting part of our coastal way of life.

Aquaculture plays an important role in our coastal economy, and the NMCA aims to support that, not replace it. The planning process works closely with local operators, Indigenous partners, and communities to make sure existing aquaculture can continue and even grow in sustainable ways.

Shellfish and seaweed farming are great examples of aquaculture that fit naturally with the goals of an NMCA—providing local jobs while helping keep our waters clean and healthy. The focus is on partnership, innovation, and balance, so that both the environment and local industries can thrive together for the long term.

Communities play a key role in conserving and managing National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs). Their input helps shape decisions through negotiation, zoning, and management planning.

NMCAs are managed collaboratively, with local communities and Indigenous partners often participating through management advisory committees or other co-management approaches to ensure local knowledge and priorities are reflected in how the area is cared for.

National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) are designed to support and protect local and Indigenous traditions, as well as opportunities for cultural and recreational use. The Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act ensures that economic, cultural, and traditional activities can continue, provided they are carried out in an ecologically sustainable way.

First Nations traditional-use access and rights-based harvesting protected under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 are not affected by NMCA designations.