Activity application for Musquash Estuary MPA

1. Overview

The Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area (MPA) was established to protect the unique habitats and areas of high biological diversity and biological productivity found there. The conservation objectives were developed to ensure no unacceptable reduction or human-caused modification in the productivity, biodiversity, or habitat in the area. The Musquash MPA is complex with three zones and different activities allowed in each zone. Refer to the Regulations and Schedules 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 (including manual harvesting of dulse), according to prescribed Regulations and zones;
• Construction, maintenance, repair or removal of boat launches or wharfs, in zone 2A;
• Vessel operation at particular speeds in zones 2 and 3; and
• Activities carried out for public safety, national defence, national security, law enforcement, or in response to an emergency.

In addition, scientific, educational, archaeological, commercial tourism or habitat restoration activity 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 the MPA Regulations.