Conservation Groups Call for Protection of Eastern Lake Ontario’s Historic Waters

A renewed appeal to protect eastern Lake Ontario could have important implications for freshwater biodiversity, historic shipwrecks and the future of underwater exploration in Canada.

Canadian underwater exploration organisation DEEP/QUEST 2 Expeditions and conservation charity Nature Canada have called on federal and provincial authorities to advance plans for a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in eastern Lake Ontario.

In a joint statement dated 22 September 2026, the organisations urged the governments of Canada and Ontario to initiate a feasibility assessment for the proposed protected area, which would help determine how the lake’s natural and cultural heritage could be safeguarded for future generations.

The proposal highlights an important difference between the Canadian and American sides of Lake Ontario. While the United States established the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary in 2024, a comparable Canadian national marine conservation area has yet to be designated in the eastern basin.

Protecting a Remarkable Freshwater Environment

Eastern Lake Ontario supports a diverse freshwater ecosystem and important shoreline habitats, including areas used by species at risk.

Nature Canada has identified the eastern basin as an important conservation priority, highlighting the combined pressures of habitat degradation, invasive species and climate change.

Prince Edward County and the surrounding region are home to numerous species of conservation concern, including Blanding’s turtles and piping plovers.

Supporters of the proposed conservation area argue that stronger protection could improve long-term ecosystem management while supporting scientific research, education and responsible recreational use.

Julia Laforge, Policy and Campaign Manager for Protected Areas at Nature Canada, said in the joint statement:

“Establishing an NMCA will secure federal resources to manage invasive species, protect critical shorelines, and aid Canada in reaching its international commitment to protect 30% of its land and water by 2030.”

A Living Museum Beneath the Surface

For divers and maritime historians, the conservation proposal also raises important questions about the future of Lake Ontario’s underwater heritage.

The lake contains a remarkable collection of historic shipwrecks, many associated with the commercial shipping routes that connected communities around the Great Lakes.

The waters surrounding Prince Edward County are particularly well known for their maritime history. An area sometimes described as the Marysburgh Vortex has attracted generations of wreck researchers and divers interested in the vessels lost beneath the lake’s surface.

Kenn Feigelman, founder of DEEP/QUEST 2 Expeditions, believes protecting the area’s underwater environment is inseparable from preserving that history.

“Our expeditions have shown us firsthand the incredible shipwrecks and delicate ecosystems hidden beneath Lake Ontario. Protecting these waters doesn’t just save wildlife; it safeguards our shared maritime history.”

Feigelman has previously explored the relationship between shipwreck discovery and freshwater conservation in an article published by Nature Canada.

His work highlights how historic wrecks can provide both opportunities for underwater archaeological research and habitat for aquatic species.

Looking Across the Border

The United States has already taken a significant step towards protecting maritime heritage in the eastern part of the lake.

In June 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration designated the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary.

Covering approximately 1,722 square miles of American waters, the sanctuary encompasses 41 known shipwrecks and one submerged aircraft, with additional archaeological sites believed to remain undiscovered.

The designation provides a framework for research, education and the stewardship of significant underwater cultural resources.

Although the Canadian proposal would operate under a different legal and administrative system, supporters see the American sanctuary as evidence of the international importance of Lake Ontario’s submerged heritage.

Growing Support for Conservation

The campaign for greater protection has also attracted attention from municipal authorities.

In May 2026, Kingston City Council passed a motion calling on senior levels of government to assess the feasibility of establishing a National Marine Conservation Area in Lake Ontario.

The proposal has also been associated with conservation advocacy around Brighton and Prince Edward County.

According to the statement supplied by DEEP/QUEST 2 Expeditions, local government resolutions and public correspondence have helped build momentum for further consideration of the project.

A formal feasibility process would require cooperation between Parks Canada, the Ontario government, Indigenous partners, local communities and other stakeholders.

Under Parks Canada’s established process, such an assessment would examine ecological and cultural values, potential conservation benefits, local interests and opportunities for Indigenous collaborative management.

The initiation of a feasibility study would not itself establish a protected area. Further consultation, agreements and legislative steps would be required before any designation could take effect.

What This Means for Canada’s Diving Community

For recreational and technical divers, the eastern basin represents an important part of Canada’s underwater heritage.

Historic wooden vessels, challenging freshwater conditions and the possibility of further discoveries have made Lake Ontario an enduring destination for wreck exploration.

The proposed conservation area offers an opportunity to consider how underwater archaeological sites, natural habitats and responsible diving activities might be managed together.

Any future framework would need to balance conservation requirements with legitimate recreational access, research and local economic interests.

For now, the latest appeal from DEEP/QUEST 2 Expeditions and Nature Canada adds another voice to a growing discussion about the future of eastern Lake Ontario.

The next significant development would be a formal commitment by the relevant governments to assess the proposal, bringing the region a step closer to determining whether national marine conservation area status is appropriate.