New Sarvarjuaq Marine Protected Area designated in Baffin Bay and Nares Strait

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A new Marine Protected Area (MPA) has been formally established in the Arctic Ocean, covering parts of Baffin Bay and Nares Strait, including the seabed, subsoil to five metres depth, the water column, and sea ice. Most everyday activities—such as fishing, hunting, tourism, marine navigation, scientific research, and Inuit community-based research—are explicitly permitted as ongoing activities and are not restricted. However, any other activity that disturbs, damages, destroys, or removes unique geological or archaeological features, living marine organisms, or their habitat is prohibited. Foreign states are allowed to lay, maintain, and repair cables and pipelines in the area, and Inuit rights under the Nunavut Agreement are fully preserved and unaffected by this Order.

Who this affects: commercial and recreational fishers · marine vessel operators and shippers · tourism and recreation operators · scientific researchers · Inuit communities and rights holders