Special Marine Areas Guide (2018)

Introduction The ocean surrounding Newfoundland and Labrador is rich in marine ecosystems that support marine life from the largest whales to the tiniest plankton, upon which generations of people and a cherished way of life has depended on. Our province boasts the Grand Banks, with some of the most important and productive marine ecosystem in the world. We are also known as the ‘Seabird Crossroads of the World’, hosting millions of migratory seabirds every year. We also have a burgeoning eco-tourism industry, centered partly around whale and bird watching experiences. Newfoundland and Labrador has a real chance to be ocean conservation leaders. However, the continued declines in ocean health, including local fish populations, demonstrate that existing conservation measures are not enough to ensure the long-term survival of species and ecosystems upon which our coastal communities depend, especially in the face of a variety of human activities. Click the button below to view the Special Marine Areas in Newfoundland and Labrador Guide, 2nd Edition, where with the help of scientists, governments, ENGOs, and community groups, have highlighted 140 special marine areas that include coastal sites, coral beds, bird colonies, fish spawning grounds, and migratory routes. More information can be found on the CPAWS NL Website. Top 10 Priority Sites Throughout the process of creating the Special Marine Areas of Newfoundland and Labrador, we have discovered there to be 10 Coastal Areas which have high priority for the need of higher protection and management to sustain its ecosystem. These areas have high biological importance, high risk of current and future threats (natural and anthropogenic), highly unique, and other environmental characteristics. More information can be found on the CPAWS NL website. Data for the Top 10 Priority Sites of the CPAWS NL Special Marine Areas can be viewed here.