The Young Politicians of Canada (YPC) proudly announces its commitment to the United Nations Voluntary Ocean Commitments database, advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We commit to advancing and supporting SDG 14.4 (sustainable fisheries management), SDG 14.9 (marine biodiversity restoration), SDG 14.6 (eliminating harmful fisheries subsidies), and SDG 14.b (improving access for small-scale fishers) by fostering youth-led policy advocacy, technological innovation, and cross-sectoral collaboration in both Canada and France.
Through this commitment, YPC will work to strengthen compliance, monitoring, and enforcement of sustainable fisheries regulations by advocating for the integration of AI-driven fishery monitoring to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The initiative will also support evidence-based fisheries management plans, aligning with Canada's Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) and France’s marine spatial planning efforts, to promote long-term sustainability. YPC will also mobilize volunteers for community-led marine conservation initiatives, including habitat restoration for endangered fish populations and coastal ecosystem regeneration. Additionally, YPC will advocate for phasing out harmful fisheries subsidies, ensuring that national and international fisheries policies do not contribute to overfishing or marine habitat degradation.
To institutionalize ocean sustainability within its broader advocacy efforts, YPC will establish a Marine Sustainability Working Group to oversee the implementation of this commitment, ensuring youth engagement in national and international ocean governance. Deliverables include an annual Youth & Ocean Sustainability Report, a Youth & Ocean Policy Forum to convene key stakeholders and policymakers, and a formal policy submission to the Canadian government outlining youth-driven recommendations for sustainable fisheries management and marine biodiversity restoration. Additionally, YPC will ensure youth representation at key global ocean governance forums, including UN Ocean Conferences and international SDG dialogues, reinforcing the role of young leaders in shaping sustainable ocean policies.
Through this comprehensive approach, YPC aims to bridge existing policy gaps, drive regulatory change, and foster innovative solutions that align Canada more closely with their SDG 14 targets. By embedding youth leadership, scientific research, and international collaboration at the heart of this initiative, YPC reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a sustainable and equitable future for global marine ecosystems.