The southwest coast of Newfoundland, stretching from Hermitage Bay to Cape Ray, is marked by towering granite cliffs and deep, glacially-carved fjords. These fjords create a network of sheltered inlets, offering critical habitats for a diverse range of marine species. This area is also home to Newfoundland’s largest tides. In the Bay d’Espoir region, seaweeds exhibit an exceptionally high diversity, particularly within the intertidal zone. CPAWS-NL has been advocating for conservation in this area since the chapter’s founding in 2003.

The Province’s recent decision to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding for the feasibility assessment of a proposed South Coast National Marine Conservation Area has abruptly ended a collaborative, evidence-based process designed to explore conservation alongside sustainable economic opportunity. By walking away from this process, the Province has also walked away from hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal funding that would have supported planning, engagement, and economic development in South Coast communities such as Burgeo, Ramea, and Conne River. This decision cuts communities out of the conversation and prioritizes short-term interests over long-term sustainability.