14 April 2015: During Canada’s chairmanship, the Arctic Council, primarily through its Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment (PAME) working group, has advanced its work on a number of projects related to safe shipping and the protection of the marine environment, including sustainable tourism across the circumpolar Arctic, marine strategic planning, shipping safety and pan-Arctic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

The Arctic Marine Tourism Project (AMTP) focuses on analyzing and encouraging sustainable tourism across the circumpolar Arctic and has developed best practice guidelines on aspects of Arctic marine tourism that fall outside the competency of, or remain unaddressed by, the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The Arctic Council has also developed the Arctic Marine Strategic Plan (AMSP), which will guide its work on Arctic marine issues through the 2015-2025 time frame. The AMSP supports policy decisions at the local, national, regional and international levels; responds to commitments by the global community on sustainable development and the protection of marine biodiversity and the marine environment through promotion of the ecosystem approach and integrated coastal and ocean management; and recognizes the importance of respecting the people living in the Arctic, including indigenous peoples.

In addition, the recently completed ‘third report on the Status on Implementation of the 2009 Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment (AMSA) Report Recommendations for 2013-2015’ reflects progress on a number of recommendations, including on the promotion of Arctic shipping safety and environmental awareness at national, regional and international levels.

The Council has also developed a framework for a pan-Arctic network of marine protected areas (MPAs), which sets out a common vision for international cooperation in MPA network development. [Arctic Council Press Release]