In the Spotlight
CEC Publishes Factual Record on the Effective Enforcement of Environmental Law Regarding the North Atlantic Right Whale Submission
Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), 6 January 2026—On 19 December 2025, the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) published the factual record regarding submission SEM-21-003 (North Atlantic right whale) filed by Oceana (“Submitter”), who asserted that the United States is failing to effectively enforce its environmental laws to protect the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) from collisions with ships, known as “vessel strikes,” and from entanglement in commercial fishing gear.
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The pursuit of environmental justice (EJ) aims to address historical inequities, marginalization and discrimination in how environmental benefits and burdens are enjoyed or suffered by certain communities.
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2021 Active Sustainable Living and Economies
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Sharks and Marine Protected Areas in the Northeast Pacific
Strengthening Understanding and Spatial Protection Through Collaboration
January 31, 2022 50 pages Ecosystems
Sharks, rays, skates, and chimaeras are among the most vulnerable marine species globally, with many populations experiencing significant decline due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and a lack of effective management. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) offer a promising tool for spatial conservation of these species, particularly when design is informed by shark biology, movement patterns, and life history characteristics, and when socioeconomic factors are considered.
To strengthen understanding and collaboration related to this topic in the Northeast Pacific, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation hosted two workshops that convened shark scientists and MPA practitioners from Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 2024 and 2025. This workshop report synthesizes the perspectives and insights of workshop participants, drawing attention to the importance of multidisciplinary and cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
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Deadline: January 31, 2026 5:00pm
Stipend: C$3,500 (Canadian dollars).
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We conduct research, provide tools and training, and provide a unique space for decision-makers and the public to engage on environmental policy issues affecting the North American region.