There were a few raised eyebrows when the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial government recently announced the termination of the memorandum of understanding regarding the feasibility assessment of a proposed National Marine Conservation Area on the south coast of the island of Newfoundland, as well as the proposed redesignation of Sandbanks Provincial Park as a National Park.
Government of NL photo.
Chris Tibbs, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, said he had formally notified the signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding — including the Government of Canada (Parks Canada), Miawpukek First Nation, Qalipu First Nation and the Town of Burgeo — of the termination.
“The Provincial Government’s position has been clear that it cannot support the establishment of a National Marine Conservation Area on the south coast of the island due to the potential risk it proposes to aquaculture, fishing and mining operations and the impact of the very communities that rely on them. Protecting the environment while fostering economic development requires careful balance. The Provincial Government is committed to safeguarding natural ecosystems while supporting sustainable industry, trade and community growth,” the government said in a press release.
“This government is committed to strengthening conservation efforts and protecting our province’s environment. However, given the potential risk to aquaculture, fishing and mining sectors and the viability of the communities who rely on them, the Provincial Government is unable to proceed with the feasibility assessment of a National Marine Conservation Area on the south coast of the island and redesignation of Sandbanks Provincial Park,” Tibbs said.
The response from fishing industry advocates was immediate and positive.
“We thank Premier Wakeham and the provincial government for following through on their promise to withdraw support for this proposed NMCA,” said FFAW-Unifor President Dwan Street. “This decision shows respect for fish harvesters and recognizes the real economic harm this proposal posed to adjacent communities.”
From the outset, the proposed NMCA threatened the owner-operator fishery while offering no evidence that it would achieve meaningful conservation outcomes, the union stated.
“Newfoundland and Labrador’s fisheries are already sustainably managed in collaboration with harvesters and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and further restrictions would only undermine livelihoods while allowing other industrial activities to continue within the same area.”
“This announcement is an important step in pushing back against baseless marine closures that unfairly target fish harvesters under the guise of conservation,” said FFAW-Unifor Secretary-Treasurer Jamie Baker. “Fish harvesters have led the way in sustainable fisheries management and deserve decisions based on real science, fairness and transparency instead of ideology.”
The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) also announced it was pleased that Premier Tony Wakeham, Minister Chris Tibbs and the Progressive Conservative government fulfilled their election commitment to withdraw from a proposed economy-stifling National Marine Conservation Area on the province’s south coast.
“The MOU to establish this massive 6,500 km2 NMCA process led by Parks Canada risked crippling the local economy on the south coast and today’s withdrawal from this process by the PC government demonstrates that Premier Wakeham is putting local people first. With this decision and by continuing to work with industry and community leaders, we can ensure aquaculture and other industries such as the fishery are a part of a more prosperous and resilient future for southern Newfoundland,” NAIA added in a press release.
