Laurentian Channel MPA
The Laurentian Channel has been identified as containing the highest levels of biodiversity off the Newfoundland shores. The variety of depths within the Channel creates great diversity of habitats. These habitats allow many different species to live, spawn and migrate through the area.
On World Oceans Day June 8th, 2010, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), announced the Laurentian Channel was a new Area of Interest (AOI) for potential designation as a Marine Protected Area under the Oceans Act. The Laurentian Channel MPA was established in April of 2019, and is the largest no-take zone in Canada.
The Laurentian Channel MPA supports the conservation of biodiversity through the protection of key species, habitats, and ecosystem structure and function, and through scientific research. Conservation objectives were developed in consultation with stakeholders, and focus on six species: Sea Pens, Black Dogfish, Smooth Skate, Northern Wolffish, Porbeagle Shark, and Leatherback Sea Turtle. Many other species are benefiting from the MPA regulations.
The Laurentian Channel MPA is located off the southwest coast of Newfoundland and Labrador (NAFO Subdivision 3P), covers approximately 11,908 km2, and includes the water column, seabed and subsoil to a depth of 5m. The area was originally identified by DFO as an ecologically and biologically significant area (EBSA) within the Placentia Bay-Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area (PB/GB LOMA).
CPAWS EFFORTS
CPAWS-NL has been working on the Laurentian Channel since 2010, striving to make it a strong MPA to protect its incredible biodiversity. Overtime, the size of the Laurentian Channel MPA has decreased in size by over 30%. In 2017, CPAWS asked the public to write a letter to our Federal Government to keep oil and gas out of the Laurentian Channel, with other ENGO groups, together over 70,000 letters from Canadians were sent expressing concern of oil and gas in this area. CPAWS has also been active in ensuring all Marine Protected Areas have internationally recognized minimum standards. With the announcement of Minimum Standards of MPAs in Canada, CPAWS-NL was excited that Laurentian Channel is the first MPA to have these standards applied.
Quick Facts
- Highest concentration of Black Dogfish in Canadian waters and is the only place where pupping occurs.
- Important spawning, nursery, and feeding area for a variety of species including Porbeagle Shark and Smooth Skate.
- Two species at risk – the Northern Wolffish and Leatherback Sea Turtle frequent the MPA; in fact, the south coast of Newfoundland is one of the most highly-frequented leatherback foraging areas in Atlantic Canada.
- Only two known mating grounds for Porbeagle Shark.
- Approximately 20 species of cetaceans have been observed in the area,
- Sea pens have been recorded in the greatest numbers and diversity; with the Laurentian Channel having the highest sea pen concentrations within the entire Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves Bioregion.
Conservation Objectives
The conservation efforts as set out by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for the Laurentian Channel Marine Protected Area are as follows:
- Protect corals, particularly significant concentrations of sea pens, from harm due to human activities (e.g., fishing, oil and gas exploratory drilling, submarine cable installation and anchoring)
- Protect Black Dogfish from human induced mortality (e.g., bycatch in the commercial fishery).
- Protect Smooth Skate from human induced mortality (e.g., bycatch in the commercial fishery.
- Protect Porbeagle sharks from human induced mortality (e.g., bycatch in the commercial fishery, seismic activities).
- Promote the survival and recovery of Northern Wolffish by minimizing risk of harm from human activities (e.g., bycatch in the commercial fishery).
- Promote the survival and recovery of Leatherback Sea Turtles by minimizing risk of harm from human activities (e.g., entanglement in commercial fishing gear, seismic activities).
Prohibitions
The Laurentian Channel MPA is the first MPA that applies Canada’s new protection standards. The Laurentian Channel MPA Regulations prohibit activities that disturb, damage, destroy or remove from this Area, living marine organisms or any part of their habitat or that is likely to do so, unless listed as exceptions in the Regulations or approved by the Minister. Oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities, including seismic surveys, as well as mining, dumping and bottom trawling are prohibited in the entirety of the area. The MPA is also the first to prohibit all commercial and recreational fishing throughout the designated area.
The Regulations establish two management zones which provide varying levels of protection within the MPA, offering the most stringent protection to areas which need it the most. These zones will conserve and protect the biological diversity and productivity of the MPA. The Core Protection Zone only allows the following activities: for public safety and national security; Indigenous food, social and ceremonial fisheries; and marine navigation activities – except for anchoring. The Core Protection Zone provides additional protection by prohibiting the laying of submarine cables. In the Adaptive Management Zone, activities such as anchoring, submarine cable installation and scientific research may be permitted, but only if they do not impact the conservation objectives of the MPA.