Canada's Oceans Strategy was announced July 12, 2002 as the Policy and Operational Framework for Integrated Management of Estuarine, Coastal and Marine Environments in Canada. In 1997, Canada brought the Oceans Act into force, making Canada the first country in the world to have comprehensive oceans management legislation. The Oceans Strategy has since been developed, after intensive deliberations on the part of the government, providing an overall strategic approach to oceans management.