Canada takes steps to protect north in face of global warming

Lancaster Sound also harbours one of the highest densities of polar bears in the Canadian Arctic. Credit Wildlife Extra.

Northwest Passage
"As global climate change continues and traffic through the Northwest Passage is expected to increase, our government is committed to safeguarding Canada's Arctic and protecting its most special natural features," said Minister Prentice. "The Government of Canada recognizes the increasing importance of understanding and protecting the Arctic and this project will allow us to significantly advance our knowledge as well as our protection and conservation activities in this area."

"Lancaster Sound is an area of incredible beauty that is teeming with wildlife," said Minister of Health Aglukkaq. "Protecting this Northern Canadian marine area would be a legacy for the people of Nunavut and indeed all Canadians."

One of the world's richest marine habitats
Dramatic cliffs and spectacular fjords provide the backdrop to Lancaster Sound. This area is one of the richest marine mammal areas in the world: during the summer months most of the world's narwhal, a third of North America's belugas, large numbers of the Eastern Arctic's bowhead whales, as well as ringed seals, harp seals and walrus are found in these waters. Lancaster Sound also harbours one of the highest densities of polar bears in the Canadian Arctic and about one-third of Eastern Canada's colonial seabirds breed and feed here, including several hundred thousand pairs of thick-billed murres, black-legged kittiwakes and northern fulmars.