Activity application for Eastport MPA

1. Overview

The Eastport Marine Protected Area (MPA) was established to maintain a viable population of American lobster through protection of resources and habitat, and to ensure the conservation and protection of threatened or endangered species, more generally. Refer to the Regulations for precise requirements and coordinates.

With certain exceptions, the Regulations prohibit any activity that disturbs, damages, destroys or removes any living marine organism or any part of its habitat or is likely to do so. Activities that may be allowed to occur in the Marine Protected Area are listed under the ‘exceptions’ section of the Marine Protected Area regulations and include:

• Certain types of fishing, according to prescribed Regulations; and
• Activities carried out for public safety, national defence, national security, law enforcement, or in response to an emergency.

In addition, scientific and educational activities may be allowed to occur within the MPA if a proponent submits an activity plan to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for Ministerial approval. The conditions for approval are outlined in section 7 of the MPA Regulations.