Management Plan

 

Residents of the local communities became concerned over the decline in the cod population and called for action measures to protect the Gilbert Bay cod.  Gilbert Bay became an official Area of Interest (AOI) in 2002, which in turn, provided short-term protection measures for the area.  After extensive research and consultations, Gilbert Bay was determined suitable to be designated as a MPA.

 

A management framework is needed to provide stakeholders and managing authorities with a mechanism to effectively manage various activities that are permitted within the MPA.  The management framework also works as a reference tool to ensure the objectives of the MPA are being met.  For a look at our recently completed Management Plan click here.

 

 

Gilbert Bay MPA Regulations

 

Section 35(3) of the Oceans Act provides for the development of regulations that allow MPAs to be designated, zoned and closed to activities that are considered incompatible with, or, would compromise the reasons for designation.  The Regulations provide the agreed minimum level of legislative management for the MPA.  They apply to those activities for which existing legislation does not provide appropriate means of management.  Although all stakeholders at differing levels will play a vital role in the stewardship and protection of Gilbert Bay, DFO are the authority ultimately responsible for ensuring that the Regulations are adhered to. For a more in depth look at the Gilbert Bay MPA regulations simply click here.

 

 

 

Summary of the Gilbert Bay Regulations

  • Designate and formally recognize the Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area.
  • Divide the MPA into three management zones, identifying them as Zones 1, 2 & 3.
  • Prohibit anyone or any activity, including the depositing, discharging or destruction of substances, from disturbing, damaging, destroying or removing any living organism or any part of its habitat within the MPA.
  • Identify activities and sewage outfalls that are exempt from the above prohibitions.
  • Identify further specific activities that are exempt from the above prohibitions in the three management zones identified for the area.
  • Establish a procedure whereby anyone wishing to conduct scientific research within the MPA must demonstrate that it is for the purpose of conservation, protection, ecological understanding or restoration of the MPA.

 

 

 

Management Zones

 

The boundaries of the Gilbert Bay MPA are based on the annual migration of Gilbert Bay cod.  They extend from the low water mark to the waters of Gilbert Bay contained within lines drawn across the three entrances of the bay at Winnard Tickle, Williams Harbour Run and Main Tickle.  

 

 

The area within the Gilbert Bay MPA boundaries is divided into three management zones.  These three zones reflect differences in the physical environments and habitats and their sensitivity to human activities.

 

 

 

  

Please click to enlarge map.

 

 

 

Zoning Scheme

 

The three management zones for the Gilbert Bay MPA are subject to a proposed colour scheme.  These areas are visually distinguishable from one another so as to provide any person using this proposed scheme, the ability to determine, with ease, the varying levels of protection within the MPA.  Therefore, the user can also distinguish which activities are permissible and which activities are not.  The colour scheme chosen represents colours similar to those found in a municipal traffic lighting system, whereby red signifies a high level of protection, amber an intermediate level, and green a low level of protection.   

 

 

 

An interpretative zoning scheme for the Regulations in the Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area

  

 

Activity

 

 

Zone 1

 

Zone 2

 

Zone 3

 

Recreational fishing1

Angling for Salmonids (trout, salmon, Arctic charr)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Netting for Salmonids (trout, salmon, Arctic charr)

No

Yes

Yes

Angling / netting for cod

No

 

No

Yes

 

Commercial fishing2

 

For cod

No

 

No

No

Other commercial species

No

 

Yes

Yes

 

Sailing and powered vessels

Navigation

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

Construction3 of mooring facilities, e.g. wharf

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

Hunting

Sealing4  

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

Furbearer trapping5

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

 

Research including aquaculture

 

For the purpose of conservation, protection, ecological understanding or restoration6

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

Discharging7 and Dumping  

Discharge of sewage from Williams Harbour sewage outfall only as per regulatory standards

No

No

Yes

Dumping

No

 

No

No

 

Users of Gilbert Bay should note that if they undertake activities other than those listed in this table, it is prohibited for anyone or any activity to disturb, damage, destroy or remove any living organism or any part of its habitat within the MPA.  Doing so may result in liability for prosecution by DFO under the Oceans Act or Fisheries Act.

 

 

 

1 Licensed under the Newfoundland Fishery Regulations or the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985

2 Licensed under the Atlantic Fishery Regulations 1985

3 Licensed under the Navigable Waters Protection Act and / or the Fisheries Act

4 Licensed under the Marine Mammal Regulation of the Fisheries Act

5 Licensed under the Wild Life Act 1990, as amended 

6 Approved by DFO

7 Licensed under the Water Resource Act 

 

Note: This scheme is for illustrative purposes only. For clarification please contact a local DFO office.

 

 

 

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