In June, 2011, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced three Areas of Interest for potential designation as Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act.
St. Anns Bank in Eastern Nova Scotia, and American Bank and Shediac Valley in the Gulf of St. Lawrence were named as Areas of Interest.
A marine Protected Area (MPA) is a protective designation for an area that significantly contributes to the health of marine ecosystems and their resources.
The Government of Canada has established three new Marine Protected Areas, two National Marine Conservation Areas and three National Wildlife Areas in the marine environment.
The first step in MPA establishment is the identification of an Area of Interest. The area will then undergo detailed evaluation, and public consultation before a decision is made to formally designate it as an MPA.
source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada