CPAWS-NL Special Marine Areas (Priority Areas)

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter is proud to deliver the Special Marine Areas Guide. We have collaborated with scientists from universities, federal and provincial governments, non-profit organizations and community groups to expand our knowledge of coastal and marine areas in this Province. We highlight 140 special marine areas that include coastal sites, coral beds, bird colonies, breeding areas, fish spawning grounds, and migratory routes. Our guide is organized according to bioregional planning units used in the National Framework for Canada’s Marine Protected Areas Network with six ecologically distinct Eco-units and additional information about the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 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. In the Special Marine Areas in Newfoundland and Labrador (2nd Edition), with the help of scientists, governments, ENGOs, and community groups, CPAWS NL has identified 140 special marine areas in need of protection that include coastal sites, coral beds, bird colonies, fish spawning grounds, and migratory routes. Within these special marine areas, 11 priority sites have been identified that are in need of immediate protection and research. The Special Marine Areas Guide is also available on the CPAWS-NL Data Hub.