Changes to marine protection area cover less of N.L.'s south coast fjords

Parks Canada has changed the boundary of a new national protected marine area around the fjords on Newfoundland's south coast by nearly 30 per cent. The change covers fewer fjords and opens up areas for potential aquaculture.

Originally proposed to cover more than 9,000 kilometres from the communities of McCallum to La Poile, the new boundary around the South Coast Fjords marine conservation area has been reduced to cover nearly 6,500 kilometres.

Barbara Barter, the former mayor of Burgeo and head of the local steering committee for the project, told CBC News the memorandum of understanding between the federal and provincial governments along with the Miawpukek and Qalipu First Nations said that current and proposed aquaculture sites had to be respected.

"Those sites were, you know, taken out of the boundary altogether. And really, we knew that that would happen," Barter told CBC Radio's The Broadcast Tuesday.

"The map may again be adjusted, depending on if there are areas highlighted that need to be protected, or areas that really, you know, have concerns."

The area has three remaining fjords that haven't been licensed as aquaculture sites, Barter said — Grey River, White Bear Bay and Bay de Loup.

Both White Bear Bay and Bay de Loup are now not within the revised boundary, since they've been identified by the province as potential aquaculture sites.

Grieg Seafood, who already operate on the south coast in Marystown, have eyed the region as part of their proposed Bays West expansion. Speaking with CBC News on Thursday, Grieg Seafood Canada COO Grant Cumming said initial environmental work has been completed on potential sites.

Barter said she has heard opposition to the proposed boundary change, specifically from the Town of Ramea and members of Burgeo First Nation — who told her the area carries important cultural significance.

"If [Grieg] go into those areas, then there will only be one Fjord left. And that's Grey River," Barter said.

However, as an advocate for the protected area for over 20 years, Barter says aquaculture and conservation can co-exist.

"That would be an important piece for us," she said. "There's always the hope that the part of the mitigation, if licences are provided, would be to work with the town," Barter said.

Asked if she believes a development could hurt the region from a tourism perspective, Barter disagreed.

"There's more to it than just the fjords," she said.