Eastern Avalon Planning Area
The Eastern Avalon, an area ranging from Cape St. Francis in the North to Cape Race in the South, is a marine area of natural splendor, where the rugged coastline and the pristine waters of the North Atlantic converge and create a haven for an array of biodiversity. The oceanic boundary extends 60 km outward from the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, encompassing a significant portion of foraging ranges for nesting seabirds, important habitat for overwintering birds, and a critical feeding ground for many marine species that return for the consistent, abundant and predictable prey base.
Key Features
Witless Bay Ecological Reserve
The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve was established in December 1983 to protect significant seabird breeding colonies and marine species at risk. It includes Gull, Green, Great, and Pee Pee Islands, and is known for housing over a million pairs of seabirds from 10 different species. The Reserve boasts North America’s largest Atlantic puffin colony with around 300,000 pairs, one of the world’s largest leach’s storm-petrel colonies with about 315,000 pairs, and Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest blacklegged kittiwake colony with 40,000 pairs. Additionally, it holds the second largest colony of common murres in eastern North America with 77,000 pairs. Other species like razorbills, black guillemots, and northern fulmars also breed here. The surrounding waters are crucial for wintering and migrating birds, including common and king eiders, thick-billed murres, and dovekies, and serve as feeding grounds for migrating whales and spawning capelin during the summer months.
Witless Bay Important Bird Area (IBA)
The Witless Bay IBA (Important Bird Area) site, designated as NF002, is part of a global network of IBAs identified by BirdLife International as critical for the conservation of bird populations and biodiversity. An IBA is a site that supports specific groups of birds, including species that are endangered, vulnerable, or rare, as well as those with large congregations or exceptional breeding areas. The designation of Witless Bay as an IBA underscores its significance not only for bird conservation but also for the broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. By meeting the strict criteria set by BirdLife International, the Witless Bay IBA represents a key site for both migratory and resident birds, playing a crucial role in the global effort to safeguard our planet’s natural heritage.
DFO Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA)
The Eastern Avalon (3L) Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA) spans the eastern coast of the Avalon Peninsula, stretching from the southern limits of Chance Cove Provincial Park to Pouch Cove in the north. The seaward boundary was delineated based on the foraging range (60 km) of piscivorous seabirds that occupy colonies within Witless Bay. This EBSA was identified based on a combination of coastal data, including capelin spawning beaches, waterfowl areas and seabird colonies, with additional key features identified based on offshore data.
- Capelin spawning is more prevalent along the coast in this EBSA with 29 spawning sites having been identified within the boundaries delineated.
- Important areas for American plaice were found toward the outer boundary of this EBSA (and extending out on Grand Bank).
- Orcas and mysticetes are commonly sighted in the Eastern Avalon EBSA.
- At least 10 species of seabirds have important colonies in this area, including a significant northern fulmar colony near Bauline East. Significant colonies for six species are found on islands within Witless Bay.
Key Habitat Sites for Sea Ducks
Two Key Habitat Sites for Sea Ducks have been identified in the area by Eastern Habitat Join Venture (EHJV). Key Site 47 (Northeast Avalon) is located on the northern end and eastern side of the Avalon Peninsula. The area has numerous coves, shoals, and offshore rocks, and sea ice is present during most winters. This area is primarily important for wintering (nonbreeding) common eiders – winter surveys conducted in this area by the Canadian Wildlife Service produced estimates of an average of 15,557 individuals over 6 years. Other sea duck species that use this area include harlequin duck, long-tailed duck, common goldeneye, common merganser, and red-breasted merganser (Learn More).
Key Site 48 (Avalon Peninsula, Cape Spear to St. Shotts) is located along the south and east coasts of the Avalon Peninsula. The coastal area has numerous coves, inlets, islands, and harbors with adjacent rocky shores and open ocean. Land cover on the islands includes coniferous forest, grassy meadows, and rocky shores and barrens. This area is primarily important for migrating and wintering common eiders – winter surveys conducted in this area by the Canadian Wildlife Service produced estimates of an average of 20,430 individuals over 6 years. Harlequin ducks also overwinter along the coast at Cape Spear, Cape Race, St. Shott’s, and Black Rocks near Chance Cove. Other sea duck species that use this area include surf scoter, black scoter, white-winged scoter, long-tailed duck, common goldeneye, common merganser, and red-breasted merganser (Learn More).
Aquatic Species at Risk and Other Important Species
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has identified distribution and range information for species listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Eight distribution ranges of aquatic species at risk overlap the East Avalon Area:
- Northern wolffish (Threatened)
- Spotted wolffish (Threatened)
- Atlantic wolffish (Special Concern)
- North Atlantic right whale (Endangered)
- Leatherback sea turtle (Endangered)
- Blue whale (Endangered)
- Fin whale (Special Concern)
- White shark (Endangered)
The area also serves as a feeding group and habitat for other at-risk species (e.g. orca, American plaice etc.), and spawning grounds for key forage fish (e.g. capelin) and other important fish species (e.g. Atlantic cod, Atlantic salmon, etc.)
Mean Maximum Foraging Range of Nesting Seabirds
The Mean Maximum Foraging Range (MMFR) for birds refers to the greatest distance that individual birds and other species typically travel from their nesting, roosting, or breeding sites to find food. This range can vary widely among different bird species, influenced by factors such as body size, habitat type, food availability, and the energetic cost of foraging. Understanding the MMFR is crucial for conservation planning, as it helps in identifying critical feeding areas and designing protected areas that support the complete life cycle needs of bird populations.
Four MMFRs overlap the Eastern Avalon study area – black-legged kittiwake (66 km), Atlantic puffin (62 km), common murre (61 km), and razorbill (31 km). Research has been done
Current Protections & Conservation Initiatives
The Witless Bay Islands have been designated a Seabird Ecological Reserve. The Ecological Reserve was established to preserve internationally important seabird breeding and overwintering colonies, maintain the natural communities of the Reserve, foster scientific studies, and provide the public with observation and educational opportunities. CPAWS-NL also conducts the Puffin and Petrel Patrol program during fledging season, and uses this opportunity to not only rescue stranded pufflings and petrels, but to raise awareness of light pollution and its effects on nocturnal seabirds (Learn More).