Bay of Islands Salmon Migration closure

Location

Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence Bioregion (Newfoundland and Labrador)

Approximate Size (km²) contribution to Marine Conservation Targets

218 km²

Approximate % coverage contribution to Marine Conservation Targets

<0.01%

Conservation Objective

Protect salmon migratory area

Ecological Components of Interest

Species of regional importance: Atlantic salmon

• Why it is important: Atlantic salmon is an important recreationally fished species in Newfoundland and Labrador. The status of Atlantic salmon populations in the North Atlantic is of concern.

Habitat that is important to biodiversity conservation: Salmon migration habitat

• Why it is important: Migration is an important part of the salmon’s life cycle.

Prohibitions

The ecological components of interest are effectively conserved through the following prohibitions:

All pelagic fixed-gear fisheries.

Other Considerations

No human activities that are incompatible with the conservation of the ecological components of interest may occur or be foreseeable within the area.

Environmental Context

This area is part of an important migration corridor for Atlantic Salmon. This migration helps link productivity in marine and freshwater environments. Protecting this depleted species and its habitat helps to support this link and the other species which rely on these food webs.