Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area (MPA)

On this page

• At-a-glance
  • Videos
  • Prohibitions
  • Environmental context
• Ecosystem
• Management and conservation
• Activity application
• Research and publications

At-a-glance

Location

Off the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula; Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence bioregion.

Approximate Size (km²) contribution to Marine Conservation Targets

1,000 km²

Approximate % coverage contribution to Marine Conservation Targets

0.02%

Conservation objectives

The conservation objectives for the Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected are to:

1. Conserve and protect benthic (seabed) habitats;
2. Conserve and protect pelagic (water column) habitats and forage species (prey);
3. Promote the recovery of at-risk whales and wolffish.

These objectives promote the productivity and diversity of fisheries resources (species fished) and the recovery of species at risk. These species frequent the site because of the quality of the habitat of the rocky ridge and the adjacent plains.

Designation date

The Canada-Quebec joint project agreement regarding the Banc-des-Américains MPA (available in French) was signed on March 4, 2019.

The Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on March 6, 2019.

Videos

Prohibitions

The Banc-des-Américains MPA Regulations prohibit any activity that disturbs, damages, destroys or removes from the Marine Protected Area any living marine organisms or any part of its habitat, or that is likely to do so. Certain activities are permitted in the Marine Protected Area, specifically those that are listed as exceptions in the Regulations or are part of an activity plan approved by the Minister.

The Regulations establish two management zones. In each management zone, specific activities that do not compromise the achievement of the conservation objectives may be carried out (as exceptions to the general prohibition). More stringent restrictions apply in Zone 1, the core protection zone and most sensitive area, while Zones 2a and 2b are adaptive management areas that allow activities compatible with the conservation objectives, under certain conditions.

Environmental context

The 1,000-square-kilometre Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area includes the entire submarine rocky ridge known as the American Bank, as well as the adjacent plains. This bank peaks at 12 metres below the water surface and is composed of two shelves separated by a sharp ridge.

The area supports an extraordinary range of marine habitats and species, including an abundance of commercially fished species. There are also many forage species (prey) such as capelin, herring, sand lance and krill. The area also has significant potential as a feeding ground for various species of fish and marine mammals, and could be an important habitat for groundfish populations. It has traditionally been a coveted fishing area.

Ecosystem

The Banc-des-Américains MPA is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Near Cape Gaspé and Bonaventure Island to the west, it stretches 35 km eastward, off the Gaspé Peninsula coast. The MPA includes the seabed and the subsoil to a depth of 5 m. The area is in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence bioregion and in Regulatory Area 4T of the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO). The site's particular rock formation and the Gaspé current that carries nutrients are at the primary reasons for the wide variety of habitats and marine species found in this area.

The MPA is frequented by a number of commercially fished species and marine mammals, including species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), such as the Atlantic population of blue whales. Approximately fifteen cetacean species are observed every year in the region, which is a feeding ground and an essential migration route to and from the St. Lawrence Estuary. Currently, the area is home to the Atlantic wolffish, a species of special concern, and one which is particularly fond of the rocky cavities found there. Moreover, species at risk as rare as the Spotted and the Northern wolffish have both been captured in the area. The Leatherback sea turtle, an endangered species and the largest reptile in the world, has also been observed in the area. The MPA is an important feeding, spawning, shelter and migration area for many of these species.

Management and conservation

The purpose of the marine protected area is to promote the productivity and diversity of fishery resources (fished species) in the American Bank and the plains adjacent to it, as well as the recovery of species at risk. This goal will be achieved through the following conservation objectives:

1. Conserve and protect benthic (seabed) habitats;
2. Conserve and protect pelagic (water column) habitats and forage species (prey);
3. Promote the recovery of at-risk whales and wolffish.

The Banc-des-Américains Marine Protected Area Regulations prohibit any activity that disturbs, damages, destroys or removes from the Marine Protected Area any living marine organism or any part of its habitat or that is likely to do so. The Regulations establish two management zones. In each zone, specific activities that do not compromise the attainment of the conservation objectives may be carried out (as exceptions to the general prohibition). The management zones are as follows (precise coordinates are provided in the Regulations):

• Zone 1 (core protection zone): This zone, which covers an area of 127 km², encompasses all of the rocky ridges associated with the American Bank, as well as their escarpments and the surrounding sea floor. It represents the highest protection area and includes the part of the MPA that is richest in biodiversity and most sensitive to human activities.
• Zones 2a and 2b (adaptive management zone): These zones cover an area of 873 km² and encompass nearly 90% of the MPA. They include the deep plains on either side of the American Bank. Zones 2a and 2b are considered less fragile than Zone 1. Certain activities that are compatible with the achievement of the conservation objectives are permitted, under certain conditions.

The most important commercial activities in the area are fishing, navigation and tourism activities. An assessment of the impact of these human activities on the achievement of the conservation objectives has been completed. The permitted activities in each zone are listed under “Exceptions” in the Regulations. For example, the following activities may be carried out in the Marine Protected Area:

• Fishing:
  • fishing, other than commercial fishing, authorized under the Aboriginal Commercial Fishing Licences Regulations in Zones 1 and 2;
  • commercial fishing for any species other than capelin, herring, mackerel, sand lance, krill and copepods by means of trap, longline or handline or by angling in Zone 2;
  • recreational fishing using handline or by angling in Zone 2;
• Navigation:
  • activities related to navigation and maritime transport, except anchoring of vessels in Zone 1 and discharge of sewage and grey water from vessels with a gross tonnage of 400 tonnes or more, or certified to carry more than 15 passengers in Zones 1 and 2;
• Safety and emergency:
  • any activity for the purposes of public safety, national defence, national security, law enforcement or to respond to an emergency;
• Activity plan:
  • Scientific research or monitoring, habitat restoration and educational or commercial marine tourism activities in Zones 1 and 2 that are part of an activity plan approved by the Minister.

A management plan is being developed. This plan will describe the approach taken to manage activities within each zone area. It will explain the key requirements of the Regulations, the allowable activities, and will define management priorities.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will ensure compliance and enforcement of the Banc-des-Américains MPA Regulations and conservation measures. These activities will be carried out pursuant to the mandate and responsibilities under the Oceans Act, the Fisheries Act, and the Species at Risk Act as well as other departmental legislation related to fisheries conservation, environmental protection, habitat protection and maritime safety. The MPA Regulations will be enforced by designated law enforcement agents pursuant to section 39 of the Oceans Act and violations will be dealt with under section 37 of the Oceans Act.

Banc-des-Américains conservation milestones

Interest in conserving the American Bank has grown considerably in recent years. Fisheries and Oceans Canada has taken significant steps, which are listed below, to recognize and protect this unique habitat.

Activity application for Banc-des-Américains MPA

Scientific research or monitoring activities, habitat restoration activities, as well as educational or commercial marine tourism activities are permitted in the Banc-des-Américains MPA, if the proponent submits an activity plan to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and receives approval from the Minister.

Learn more about the activity plan process

Research and publications

Research

In order to define appropriate conservation and protection measures, available habitats and species on the site must be well known and their locations identified. Several types of research activities have been conducted on the rocky ridge and the adjacent plains of the American Bank.

For example, a scientific team from Fisheries and Oceans Canada boarded the CCGS Leim to survey the American Bank. This mission helped characterize the sea bed and confirm the presence of the species associated with the site. The team used a sled equipped with a camera and a high-definition video camera to collect images for a better understanding of this vast territory.

The scientific team also went diving and used a remote-controlled submarine equipped with a video camera to inspect the escarpments along the rocky ridge of the American Bank. Although this portion of the site is the most difficult to reach, it is of great interest as these habitats are suitable for the Atlantic wolffish.

In addition, Fisheries and Oceans Canada biologists from Quebec, Gulf and Maritime regions participated in an outstanding scientific mission in partnership with Oceana Canada. The mission took place aboard the CCGS Martha L. Black and used a ROPOS (Remotely Operated Platform for Ocean Science) submarine in order to capture never-before-seen images and videos of the steep cliff of the American Bank. Equipped with an articulated arm, this autonomous underwater vehicle has also collected samples of water, organisms, and sediments, thereby allowing scientists to better understand this place.

These missions have established an information baseline that serves as a reference. Following the designation, an ecological and scientific follow-up has been established and will be carried out. The information collected will be compared to the baseline, which will then measure the success of conservation measures that were implemented when the MPA was designated. Other scientific activities are also planned in the coming years to further characterize the site.

Publications

• Analyse des données d'imagerie optique captées par le véhicule sous-marin ROPOS dans l'aire marine protégée du Banc-des-Américains (2021) (French only)
• An assessment to support decisions on authorizing scientific surveys with bottom-contacting gears in protected areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (2020) (research document)
• Assessment to support decisions on authorizing scientific surveys with bottom-contacting gears in protected areas in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence (2020) (science response)
• Responsible observation guide for the marine observation industry (ROMM, 2020)
• Évaluation des activités d'observation en mer et de la fréquentation des baleines dans le secteur de l'aire marine protégée du Banc-des-Américains : Rapport final Saison 2019 (ROMM, 2019) (French only)
• Portrait des activités d'observation en mer de l'aire marine protégée du Banc-des-Américains : Mise à jour du rapport synthèse de 2016, Mars 2019 (ROMM, 2019) (French only)
• Review of ecosystem features, indicators and surveys for ecological monitoring (2019)
• Review of the indicators and recommendations for an Ecological Monitoring Plan (2019)
• Cruise report for the 2017 Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Oceana Canada mission using the ROPOS in the Gulf of St. Lawrence (2019)
• Development of Pathways of Effect Models (2018) (French only)
• Description of Epibenthic Habitats and Communities (2017) (French only)
• Intersectoral Consultation Workshop Report (2013) (French only)

Other resources

• Online training for boaters and kayakers navigating in the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay Fjord