Marine conservation areas in the Newfoundland context : the proposed Bonavista and Notre Dame Bay initiative

Billard, Gina L. (1998) Marine conservation areas in the Newfoundland context : the proposed Bonavista and Notre Dame Bay initiative. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (9MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are regions that have been reserved by law to protect all or part of a designated environment. In Canada, this concept has evolved into Marine Conservation Areas (MCAs) which are defined as regions that are managed for sustainable use. These include regions ranging from the sea bed to the surface of the water and include the living resources within that environment. MP As have been studied mostly in terms of their possible biological implications, but, as in other aspects of fisheries biology, it is also important to examine the legal, economic and social implications of their implementation. These considerations are especially important in locations where the majority of people earn their living from the sea. Recently, Parks Canada identified the Bonavista and Notre Dame Bay regions of coastal Newfoundland as a possible site for an MCA. A number of considerations by management can help ensure the ultimate success of this MCA. Clearly identifying the regulations and associated penalties within appropriate legislation is a difficult but necessary step. Maximizing the potential economic benefits of these regions would also improve the chances of success for such initiatives in that they improve public support for this initiative. Whether economic benefits are compatible with the biological goals of the region would appear to be highly dependent upon the efficiency of the management structure in enforcement measures and public education. The need for public support has been recognized by Parks Canada and exhibited in their attempts to educate and update the affected communities with newsletters, public meetings, and community facilitators. It is possible for the Bonavista and Notre Dame Bay MCA to be successfully implemented. Given the economic difficulties that have resulted from the northern cod moratorium it will be an uphill battle. The moratorium has, however, also provided the perfect opportunity to argue for conservation measures. A successful initiative has the potential to revitalize the economy and the biological characteristics of the region. Failure, given past trends within this region, will most likely result in further depletion of the resources that are distributed within this region.

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