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DFO Supports Conservation Efforts in the Musquash Estuary, Bay of Fundy Dartmouth, NS - Fisheries and Oceans today announced support for a community effort to conserve and protect the Musquash Estuary and surrounding marshes. DFO will continue to work closely with the Musquash Marine Protected Areas Planning Group, the Government of New Brunswick and others to ensure the health of this important coastal ecosystem is maintained. Musquash Estuary is located approximately 20 kilometers west of the city of Saint John, New Brunswick. Estuaries and salt marsh complexes are critical to the health to the marine ecosystem, serving as highly productive areas, and supporting a variety of species. Studies have identified the Musquash Estuary as one of the last ecologically intact estuaries in the Bay of Fundy. Over the years, the lands surrounding this estuary have received considerable attention through the conservation and management efforts of several government and non-government organizations. Addressing the conservation and protection issues within the estuary itself will complement these efforts. The site was originally proposed as a protected area by the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB), with the support of groups such as the Fundy North Fishermen's Association. More recently, the Musquash Marine Protected Areas Planning Group, which is made up of broad community interests, has been established to further develop the concept. Musquash is the Maritimes second inshore "Area of Interest" in the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Program under the Oceans Act. Identification of a site as an "Area of Interest" is the first step in the Department's evaluation process to identify and protect important ecological areas in the marine environment. On June 23, 1999 DFO announced support for conservation efforts in Basin Head P.E.I, the first inshore Area of Interest. DFO has adopted a "learn-by-doing" approach to the development of MPAs. DFO is supportive of the Musquash estuary conservation initiative which is a demonstration of how local interests, conservation organizations, and government can work together to protect important coastal ecosystems. Together with the Musquash Marine Protected Areas Planning Group and others, DFO will conduct studies on this coastal ecosystem to help understand the function and role of the estuary in the Bay of Fundy. As well, DFO will contribute to the assessment of activities and their impacts in and around the estuary to help determine the conservation and protection requirements for the area. This process will be a collaborative effort with input from all interested parties. FOR MORE INFORMATION: |
