The federal government has announced a new conservation area off the northwest coast of Nunavut’s Ellesmere Island, writes Nunastiaq News.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travelled to Iqaluit on Thursday, Aug. 1, to announce the creation of Tuvaijuittuq Marine Protected Area. Tuvaijuittuq, which in English means “the place where the ice never melts,” is also known the “last-ice area,” as it’s expected to retain year-round sea ice until 2050.

Trudeau’s visit also marked the completion of the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area through an Inuit impact and benefit agreement signed on Thursday morning.

Together, these areas cover more than 427,000 square kilometres, which means Ottawa has now met its goal to protect 10 per cent of Canada’s marine areas by 2020.