New Items Include:

1. September/05 Eastport MPA Management Plan Being Finalized
2. July/06 Petro-Canada Funds Signage for Eastport MPAs
3. February/06 New Joint MPA Community Coordinator Hired
4. January/06 Eastport MPAs SIMS (Seabed Imaging & Mapping Systems) CD
5. October/05 Eastport Marine Protected Area Designation
6. Publications: The Coastal Current Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 3, July 2006

September/05 Eastport MPA Management Plan Being Finalized

The final draft of the Eastport Marine Protected Areas Management Plan was distributed to various Steering Committee members and other interested parties early this summer. The management plan includes new Terms of Reference for the MPAs now that we have entered the management phase of the MPA process. Reaction to the draft document has been very positive, with only minor amendments required, and MPA Program staff at DFO are now producing the final version.

 To see the revised terms of reference for the Eastport MPA, go to Terms of Reference.

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July/06 Petro-Canada Funds Signage for Eastport MPAs

Proposed Signage For Route 310

A sign on Route 310 will greet visitors coming onto the Eastport Peninsula. Advisory signs at boat launches and on the islands will alert boaters to the special status of the protected areas. Design work for interpretive signage is also underway. The interpretive signs will explain the history, purpose and ecology of the Eastport Marine Protected Areas for tourists and visitors.  Petro-Canada is also funding an informational brochure that will show the locations of the MPAs, and give some background information with a synopsis of the MPA regulations. Informative table placemats for local restaurants are also in development. “This new partnership with Petro-Canada is exciting,” said Stephanie Hackett of the Newfoundland and Labrador Legacy Nature Trust. “It is very encouraging to see companies such as Petro-Canada giving back to the community.”

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February/06 New Joint MPA Community Coordinator Hired

Early in January 2006, the Newfoundland and Labrador Legacy Nature Trust hired a new joint coordinator for the Eastport and Tickles MPAs - Vicky Hammond from Happy Adventure. Vicky began work early in February 2006. Contact information is as follows:

Vicky Hammond
MPA Coordinator, Eastport/Leading Tickles
P.O. Box 21 Site 5
Eastport, NL 
A0G 1Z0
Phone: (709) 677-2486
E-mail: nfmpas@yahoo.ca

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January/06 Eastport MPAs SIMS CD

The Eastport MPAs SIMS (Seabed Imaging & Mapping Systems) CD has finally been completed.  This CD contains a variety of information about the habitat and marine life in the waters surrounding Round Island and Duck Islands including text, video, still images, and a variety of maps accessible through a web browser. The CD provides information on bathymetry, biology, sub-strate and currents. It also provides socioeconomic data on both Eastport MPAs.

If you would like a copy of this CD please contact: Helen Griffiths, MPA Program Biologist at DFO: 709-772-8312

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October/05 Eastport Marine Protected Area Designation

On October 11^th, 2005, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced the designation of three new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Eastern Canada—Eastport (Newfoundland), Gilbert Bay (Labrador), and Basin Head (Prince Edward Island).

To celebrate this announcement on November 9^th, 2005, the Eastport MPAs Steering Committee, in cooperation with the Oceans Division of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, held a celebration event at the Royal Canadian Legion in Eastport. This event was attended by several governmental and non-governmental organizations including the Eastport MPAs Steering Committee, municipal and provincial representatives, Memorial University, Newfoundland & Labrador Legacy Nature Trust, and the FFAW. Several other special guests also attended including Scott Simms, the federal MP for the area. The event was emceed by Mr. George Feltham, former Co-Chair of the Steering Committee, and Chair of the Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Committee (EPLPC).

The evening started with a short meet-n-greet, followed by dinner. Several special guests gave speeches and Certificates of Recognition were presented by Allan Rowsell, (Area Director of Eastern & Southern Area, DFO) on behalf of Wayne Follett, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Regional Director General, DFO.  Scott Simms congratulated both the Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Committee and the MPAs Steering Committee on the excellent job they had done to move this project forward. He recognized that this was one of the first initiatives whereby stakeholders worked side by side with government to achieve a common goal. Mr. Simms also commented that the Eastport MPAs should be used as a model example for similar future initiatives.

Eastport Steering Committee members receive Certificates of Recognition

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Publications:  

The Coastal Current Newsletter Volume 5 Issue 3, July 2008
To see more Coastal Current Newsletters, go to the Publications Section.

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