Mr. Speaker, pollution from human activities can be found all across the ocean's vast expanse. Rivers carry waste substances into the ocean. Discharge spills and waste from shipping and pollutants discharged into the air are also deposited into the ocean. Micro-plastics, agricultural run-off, untreated sewage and waste water, oils, nutrients, sediments, and marine debris; human activity like agricultural practices, port and harbour developments, damming of rivers, urban development and construction, mining, fisheries, aquaculture, and manufacturing, are all sources of marine pollution threatening coastal and marine habitat as well as human health and well-being.

Mr. Speaker, the United Nations estimates that currently at least two billion people do not have access to regular waste collection, and a large portion of the uncollected waste ends up in waterways and the ocean. Plastic debris causes deaths of large numbers of sea birds, as well as marine mammals, traditionally the main sources of food for the Inuit. Many uncertainties remain around the human health risk and microplastics in seafood and the possible effects of nano-sized plastic particles, which are capable of crossing cell walls.

Pollution from ships takes the form of both catastrophic events and chronic pollution from regular operations. Ballast is essential to the safe and efficient operation of ships, but the exchange of ballast water is a possible route for the introduction of invasive species, which can also be caused by aquaculture, ocean research, tourism, and sport fishing, Mr. Speaker. Human activities in the oceans are also responsible for generating increasing levels of underwater noise that disrupt marine habitat. More research and policy development is needed in addressing microplastics, endocrine-disrupting compounds, and harmful algal blooms.

Mr. Speaker, governments can help:

● raise public awareness on the impacts of plastic pollution and the benefits of recycling, including new regional recycling and waste collection centres;

● improve the sustainability of ports especially relating to waste management and reception facilities; regulate shipping emissions;

● strengthen implementation of the legal regime for the protection and preservation of the marine environment through activities and partnerships with Indigenous governments;

● also, by provide training and technical assistance on the development of legislation and policy, as well as developing the scientific and Indigenous knowledge capacity to monitor and address marine pollution.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.