Eastport Marine Protected Areas Management Plan 2023 - 2028

On this page

• Foreword
• Acknowledgements
• Acronyms
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Overview of the Eastport Marine Protected Areas
• Management
• Monitoring and research
• Compliance promotion and enforcement
• Public awareness, engagement, education, and outreach
• Reporting and adaptive management
• Contact us
• Related information
• References

Foreward

In 2005, the designation of the Eastport Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) represented the successful culmination of several years work initiated by the Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Committee (EPLPC) and supported by other interested groups in favor of conservation and stewardship.

The development of the MPAs was a collaborative process with stakeholders and Eastport MPAs Advisory Committee members who worked together to build a foundation of knowledge, understanding, trust and agreement.

Since the designation of the Eastport MPAs, the advisory committee, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and other stakeholders have been working together to ensure that the MPAs continue to deliver benefits to the local marine ecosystem and the fishery that depends on the ecosystem.

To guide this process, the first management plan was produced in 2007, followed by a second management plan in 2013.

The plans incorporate feedback from advisory committee representatives, scientific advice and input, and monitoring program results.

DFO has developed this updated management plan to guide the MPAs from 2023 to 2028. The plan is based on the results of the monitoring programs, science advice, and input from the advisory committee.

The advisory committee is satisfied that the goals and objectives of the Eastport MPAs will be well served by this plan and fully endorse this plan.

Much important work remains to be done in public education and awareness, using the MPAs as an inspiration for future stewardship initiatives on the Eastport peninsula and beyond.

Signed,
John Penney
Co-Chair, Eastport MPAs Advisory Committee
Local Harvester

Acknowledgements

This management plan was prepared by the DFO, Newfoundland and Labrador Region, with the support of the Eastport MPAs Advisory Committee. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the preparation and review of this plan, and those involved in the management, monitoring, and enforcement of the MPAs.

Acronyms

C and P

Conservation and Protection (Branch of DFO)

CPUE

Catch Per Unit Effort

DFO

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

EPLMA

Eastport Peninsula Lobster Management Area

EPLPC

Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Committee

FM

Fisheries Management Branch (DFO)

FFAW

Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union

LFA

Lobster Fishing Area

MI

Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland

MPAs

Marine Protected Areas

MUN

Memorial University of Newfoundland

SLA

Service Level Agreement

Executive summary

In 2005, the Eastport MPAs were designated by regulations under Canada's Oceans Act at the request of local stakeholders to maintain a viable population of American lobster. The community-based advisory committee continues to be actively involved in monitoring and the evolution of management strategies and ensure that the goals and objectives of the MPAs are met and the interests of all users are considered.

In 1997, lobster harvesters in the Eastport Peninsula Lobster Management Area (EPLMA), the lobster management area surrounding the MPAs, began collecting data. They worked with scientists from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) and DFO. Monitoring is ongoing and results from 1997 to 2022 show the abundance of the Eastport area commercial-sized American lobster has increased. Also, inside the Eastport MPAs:

• the average size of males has increased
• the average size of females has increased
• there is an increase in the relative abundance of large lobsters (male and female)
• the proportions of berried (egg-bearing) females are larger
• there is some movement to the outside areas

Within the MPAs fishing is prohibited, and any other activity may only occur if there are approved permits in place from the DFO MPA management team. Management measures for the adjacent EPLMA include:

• a fishing season (early May to early July) to prohibit harvesting during peak molting and mating periods
• commercial lobster fishing within the inner zone of the EPLMA available only to harvesters from the Eastport Peninsula
• harvester trap limits
• mandatory trap tags to aid in enforcement
• voluntary v-notching of female lobsters

The community-based advisory committee provides critical advice in the development and implementation of management strategies including conservation approaches, monitoring activities, research, enforcement, and public education and awareness of the MPAs and the broader EPLMA.

This 2023-2028 management plan outlines management strategies for American lobster inside the Eastport MPAs, and within the EPLMA. The plan incorporates advice from the advisory committee, the results of the monitoring programs, and advice from the Science and Fisheries Management (FM) branches of DFO and researchers from academic institutions.

This is the third management plan developed for the Eastport MPAs. This new plan builds on the many accomplishments of the MPAs to date and is an encouraging example of successful marine protected area design and community collaboration.

1 Introduction

The Eastport MPAs were officially designated under the Oceans Act in October 2005, at the request of local stakeholders. The MPAs were created to promote the protection and sustainable fishery of the local American Lobster population. The MPAs are part of an overall lobster conservation strategy for the Eastport Peninsula and are found within a 400 km² conservation area known as the Eastport Peninsula Lobster Management Area (EPLMA). The regulatory conservation objectives for the Eastport MPAs are to:

• maintain a viable population of lobster through the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of resources and habitats within the EPLMA
• ensure the conservation and protection of threatened or endangered species

Management strategies for these objectives, and more non-regulatory objectives for the Eastport MPAs, are described in this plan in Section 3.2.

1.1 Governance structure and vision

Marine planning and marine conservation have progressed since the passing of the Oceans Act in 1997, and marine conservation tools have been developed to help Canada meet its international conservation targets. DFO's legislative responsibility is to ensure Oceans Act MPAs are managed appropriately, considering the interests of all users.

DFO leads a focused, cooperative, and ecosystem-based approach to MPA management involving all levels of government, affected Indigenous organizations, coastal communities, and non-government stakeholders.

Under this partnership, management strategies and regulatory conservation objectives are the primary responsibility of DFO, while the non-regulatory conservation objectives are tracked by community partnerships led by the advisory committee, with support from DFO.

1.2 The advisory committee

The Eastport MPAs Steering Committee was established in 2001 and renamed the Eastport MPAs Advisory Committee as the MPAs progressed from the planning phase to the management phase. The committee's commitment to stewardship and cooperation laid the groundwork for the regulations and on-going management initiatives in the MPAs.

It is co-chaired by the Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Committee (EPLPC) and DFO. Other members include local fish harvesters, residents, government representatives, non-governmental organizations, and researchers.

The role of the committee is to represent relevant key groups or stakeholders, provide advice to DFO and other regulators about ongoing management of the Eastport MPAs, and promote awareness and community involvement in the Eastport MPAs.

The committee's vision statement reflects the overall goal of the MPAs and the plan:

The mandate of the Eastport MPAs Advisory Committee, as stated in the terms of reference, is to:

• revise and implement the Eastport MPAs management plan as needed
• monitor the effectiveness of the Eastport MPAs by encouraging scientific research in the areas and reviewing the results of this research
• monitor enforcement of the MPAs' regulations by working with DFO, the public, and other affected stakeholders
• inform the public of the designation and status of the MPAs and solicit public comments, ideas, and feedback where appropriate
• promote the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of marine resources and their habitats
• foster partnerships with other groups

The committee helps manage the Eastport MPAs as an advisory body. Its members aid with data collection, enforcement, public awareness, and other activities that support conservation objectives. Committee members also explore how the MPAs can help environmentally sustainable economic development within the region and seek funding opportunities and partnerships to support conservation projects. The advisory committee meets annually to discuss science, enforcement, and other issues. Public meetings are held when needed to keep stakeholders updated and allow members of the public to bring up their concerns.

MPAs are managed through a continuous cycle (Figure 1) in which plans are developed, implemented, reviewed, and adapted to ensure management approaches stay relevant and effective (DFO 2021-b). Some of the factors considered in each management plan review include:

• monitoring results
• compliance with the regulations
• any relevant changes in the ecology and socio-economic environment
• effectiveness and level of support for any proposed changes to the management measures including the regulations

The advisory committee and other interested parties provide information and advice for each new management plan and are involved in each step of the management cycle.

Management plans are generally reviewed every 3-5 years depending on the results of the monitoring program and management strategies. 5-year plans are used when monitoring results and management strategies stay relatively the same, while a 2- or 3-year plan allows more rapid response to changing conditions requiring new or updated management strategies to meet the objectives of the marine protected area. Due to the current stability of the population of American lobster in the Eastport MPAs, this plan will be reviewed in 5 years (2028).

2 Overview of the Eastport MPAs

2.1 Location and Boundaries of the Eastport MPAs

The Eastport Marine Protection Areas (MPAs) are found off the coast of Eastport Peninsula (NAFO Div. 3L) in Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, within the NL shelves bioregion. There are 2 small MPAs, one surrounding Round Island and the other surrounding Duck Islands. The MPAs cover a total area of 2.1km², including the water column, seabed, and subsoil to a depth of 5m.

The Eastport Peninsula Lobster Management Area (EPLMA), as shown in Figure 2, is the regular fishing area of harvesters from the Eastport Peninsula. It is a 400km² conservation area around the MPAs where research, science monitoring, and conservation measures such as V-notching and increased enforcement are carried out. Commercial lobster fishing within the inner zone of the EPLMA is limited to EPLPC members as a condition of licence. The outer area is used by EPLPC members and by other lobster harvesters within Bonavista Bay. The EPLMA is critical to the management of the MPAs, and advisory committee members are looking for more permanent protection for this conservation area.

2.2 Biological environment

The waters of the Eastport Peninsula support a wide range of marine species. Some of the commercial species include lobster, cod, capelin, and herring.

Scallops, mussels, and clams are harvested recreationally. Other invertebrates commonly found in the Eastport Peninsula waters include anemones, sea stars, and jellyfish.

Wolffish may be found in deeper waters of the area and Atlantic salmon also occur in the area. Seals and several whale species frequent waters in the spring and summer. Marine plants such as eelgrass, Irish moss, and various species of kelp and rockweed are common (LGL Ltd. 2001).

2.3 Human environment

The Eastport Peninsula, surrounded by numerous islands, is a small piece of land jutting out from the mouth of central Bonavista Bay. Scattered throughout the peninsula are 7 core communities:

• Salvage
• Eastport
• Happy Adventure
• Sandy Cove
• Burnside
• St. Chad's
• Sandringham

The population for all 7 communities on the Peninsula is 1,157 (Statistics Canada 2022). In recent years, out-migration has become a major concern for most communities in the area.

For generations, the Eastport Peninsula relied on fishing. Despite the decline in groundfish, fishing is still important in the area, especially shellfish fisheries (e.g., the lobster fishery and snow crab fishery). Tourism is also an important industry on the Eastport Peninsula, with its beautiful white sandy beaches, camping, sea kayaking, boat tours, whale watching, hiking, and proximity to Terra Nova National Park (Hewlin 2002).

2.4 Conservation measures within the EPLMA

Lobster fishers throughout the province practice several mandatory measures to limit pressure on the resource and support the conservation of lobster. In Newfoundland and Labrador, these mandatory measures include:

• conducting the lobster fishing season from approximately mid-May to mid-July, which prohibits harvesting during peak molting and mating periods;
• following trap limits, which are set within specific LFAs, (e.g., in 2022, each harvester in LFA5 had a 150-trap limit);
• using traps that meet certain specifications, including trap dimensions and opening size limit, and have biodegradable escape mechanisms to minimize ghost fishing if traps are lost;
• using mandatory trap tags, which aid in enforcement;
• keeping only lobsters with a minimum carapace size of 82.5mm, to allow a higher percentage of female lobsters to reproduce before they reach commercial age;
• releasing egg-bearing females to improve the reproductive ability of the population; and
• releasing V-notched females to further improve reproductive ability.

In addition to the standard mandatory measures described above, the MPAs and EPLMA are protected by the following conservation measures:

• commercial and recreational fishing inside the MPAs is prohibited by regulation under the Oceans Act; and
• commercial lobster fishing within the inner zone of the EPLMA is limited to lobster harvesters from the Eastport Peninsula communities as a condition of license, reducing the pressure on the local lobster population.

2.5 Overview of the regulations

Section 35(3) of the Oceans Act enables the development of regulations that allow MPAs to be designated, zoned, and activities or classes of activities to be prohibited or permitted. The regulations for the Eastport MPAs are provided in the related information section below. Section 4 prohibits all harmful activities other than those exceptions in Section 5, or for which a plan is approved in Section 6. Section 8 details the requirements for reporting accidents.

The main goal of the Eastport Regulations is to ensure the conservation and protection of American lobster and its habitat in the local area.

To meet this goal:

• commercial harvest of lobster is prohibited under the Oceans Act in all zones of the MPAs
• all monitoring, scientific research, and educational activities within the MPA must be approved by DFO, and conducted under an approved activity plan
• accidents must be reported to Coast Guard (709-772-2083)

Next to the MPAs, commercial lobster fishing within the inner zone of the EPLMA is limited to local harvesters as a condition of license.

Table 1 below provides an overview of activities prohibited or permitted within the MPA under Section 5 of the Eastport MPA Regulations or subsequent management measures.

Although the Oceans Act regulations provide the primary tool for protecting the MPAs, activities within the MPAs may also be subject to provisions from other legislation, regulations and policies, including the:

• Aboriginal Communal Fishing License Regulations
• Marine Mammal Regulations
• Atlantic Fishery Regulations
• Newfoundland and Labrador Fishery Regulations
• Navigable Waters Protection Act
• Fisheries Act
• Environmental Protection Act
• Water Resources Act
• Waste Disposal Act
• Pesticides Act

3 Management

3.1 Management highlights and goals

The main activities of the Eastport MPAs management program include:

• scientific monitoring
• enforcement and compliance monitoring
• public awareness and education initiatives

EPLPC members participate in science monitoring programs within the EPLMA during the harvesting season which are coordinated by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) Union representing lobster harvesters in NL. DFO enforcement officers patrol the MPAs and surrounding areas regularly to ensure compliance with local licensing conditions. Seeking opportunities for information sharing and outreach is a shared responsibility among participating groups, including DFO.

These program aspects are discussed at annual advisory committee meetings held on the Eastport Peninsula, therefore keeping the committee in place is important to the management and increasing awareness of the MPAs. As many of the local harvesters who supported the MPAs over the years are retired or are nearing retirement, it has become important to ensure that present and future harvesters are aware of the MPAs and could be represented or participate on the committee.

The main objectives for this 5-year management cycle are to:

• strengthening the role of community members in the monitoring and management of the MPAs to maintain effective management of the MPAs and uphold good relations with local user groups
• develop strategies to renew advisory committee membership
• discuss potential new opportunities at the annual committee meetings to ensure local perspectives are considered
to the public via websites, documentaries, etc.
• gather public interest in the MPAs by using modern tools to provide updated information on the MPAs to the public via websites, documentaries, etc.
• conduct further analysis of lobster tagging data (e.g., movement by size groups) and disseminate this information to harvesters
• use GPS to map fall research sites at Round Island and at-sea sampling sites
• study data from the small and large modified traps and from other long-term data sets
• work with harvesters and the advisory committee to develop a regulatory intent describing harvester use of the inner and outer EPLMA
• promote education and awareness of the MPAs in the Eastport area

3.2 Conservation objectives and associated management strategies and actions

Conservation objectives describe the goals of the MPAs and are based on the best available scientific and local ecological knowledge. The Eastport MPAs were created to protect American lobster and its habitats. To ensure that the regulations and management actions are effective, there must be a standard against which they can be measured. That standard is provided by the conservation objectives and associated indicators, which were developed by DFO and the advisory committee. Conservation objectives for the Eastport MPAs are to:

1. maintain a viable population of lobster through the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of resources and habitats within the EPLMA
2. ensure the conservation and protection of threatened or endangered species
3. ensure participation of interested and affected stakeholders in the overall management of the resource
4. increase stewardship and public awareness of American lobster, the ecosystem of the Eastport MPAs, and the marine conservation measures
5. promote scientific research to increase levels of understanding regarding the Eastport MPAs' ecosystem and help to achieve the conservation objectives
6. ensure potential economic benefits offered by conservation of the resource are centered in the local communities of the Eastport Peninsula
7. maintain and enhance the quality of the Eastport ecosystem

Items 1 and 2 are the primary (regulatory) conservation objectives for the Eastport MPAs. Items 3-7 are secondary (non-regulatory) conservation objectives which support marine conservation and the overarching goals of the advisory committee.

These objectives provide the basis for developing management strategies and actions, which make up the foundation of the management plan. Management strategies and actions designed to achieve the conservation objectives over the term of this plan are described below.

Eastport regulatory and non-regulatory conservation objectives and management actions

Regulatory conservation objective 1

Maintain a viable population of lobster through the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of resources and habitats within the EPLMA.

Management strategy: Protect lobster and their habitat through legislation within the MPAs and EPLMA

• Monitor the lobster population inside the MPAs, and within the EPLMA, to ensure that management measures are effective. The monitoring program includes:
  • Collection of data from commercial logbooks and at-sea sampling to determine Commercial catch per unit effort (CPUE), Population Size Structure, and Population Estimate inside the EPLMA.
  • Collection of data via fall tagging program to allow survey of small and large sized lobsters. Analyze data to monitor any changes in the population's size structure and average size inside the MPAs compared to outside the MPAs.
• Monitor extent of lobster movement over time using tagging data.
• Develop a tag return incentive to gather information on tagged lobster caught in the commercial fishery.
• Prior to the next management cycle, compile a detailed monitoring report covering all existing sources of data, and seek Science advice, as needed, on future monitoring and management based on this report.

Promote compliance with the MPA regulations and associated management actions by ensuring there is adequate enforcement compliance monitoring.

• Continue to work with DFO (C and P) to support dedicated enforcement patrols within and surrounding the MPAs.
• Work with DFO FM and Licensing to develop a long-term policy regarding inner/outer EPLMA licenses, including a potential limit on number of harvesters fishing within the inner EPLMA zone, and a policy supporting license transfers and sale of those licenses.

Regulatory conservation objective 2

Ensure the conservation and protection of threatened or endangered species.

Management strategy: Protect Species at Risk through monitoring, public awareness, and education initiatives.

• Encourage local fish harvesters to report any observation of Species at Risk in lobster pots within the EPLMA.
• Collaborate with researchers conducting multi-species studies in the area to collect information on the incidences of Species at Risk within the EPLMA and surrounding area.
• Determine a population estimate of wolffish within the EPLMA if adequate data is obtained.

Non-regulatory conservation objective 3

Ensure participation of interested and affected stakeholders in the overall management of the resource.

Management strategy: Continue to collaborate with local stakeholders via the advisory committee, public meetings, and monitoring programs.

• Hold Annual Meetings of the Eastport MPAs Advisory Committee to provide an update on the latest research, monitoring, and enforcement, and to discuss management strategies.
• Hold science briefings, regional workshops, and public meetings to provide updates on status of research, monitoring, and management actions associated with the MPA and the larger EPLMA.
• Engage harvesters in the 7 core communities, and surround LFA 5 area, to promote the collection of data relating to tags and returning this information to DFO for analysis.
• Continue to encourage participation of local harvesters in the advisory committee, in monitoring, and research programs associated with the MPA.

Non-regulatory conservation objective 4

Increase stewardship and public awareness of American Lobster, the ecosystem of the Eastport MPAs, and the marine conservation measures.

Management strategy: Develop and distribute relevant communications materials to interested and affected stakeholders.

• Maintain the Eastport MPAs website on the national DFO webpage, update content as required.
• Increase public awareness through involvement in community events.
• Develop, produce, and distribute future issues of “The Coastal Current”.

Non-regulatory conservation objective 5

Promote scientific research to increase levels of understanding regarding the Eastport MPAs ecosystem and help to achieve the conservation objectives.

Management strategy: Collaborate with scientists and local stakeholders to conduct scientific research.

• Encourage involvement of graduate students (e.g., from MUN, MI) in research projects on the Eastport Peninsula.
• Collaborate with existing research programs to provide scientific support for MPA related research.
• Continue to encourage participation of local harvesters on the advisory committee for monitoring and research programs associated with the MPA.

Non-regulatory conservation objective 6

Ensure potential economic benefits offered by conservation of the resource are centered in the local communities of the Eastport Peninsula.

Management strategy: Collaborate with local harvesters to explore further economic benefits.

• Continue involving local harvesters in the annual Eastport Monitoring programs to provide economic benefits through expenditures associated with research activities in the area.
• Continue to support the allocation of Inner LFA5 commercial lobster fishing licences to harvesters from the 7 core communities within the EPLMA.
• Increase tourism in the area through public awareness materials, participation in public events, etc.
• Investigate further possible economic benefits associated with the MPA.

Non-regulatory conservation objective 7

Maintain and enhance the quality of the Eastport ecosystem.

Management strategy: Collaborate with subject matter experts to distribute relevant information to affected stakeholders.

• Develop teaching aids with respect to marine debris, aquatic invasive species, and species at risk and provide presentations or handout materials.

4 Monitoring and research

Monitoring the condition and trends of biological and ecological indicators to determine if the MPA is meeting the conservation objectives is a critical part of the Eastport MPAs management plan. Lobster fishers began collecting data with scientists from Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) and the DFO in the EPLMA in 1997. In recent years, harvesters of the EPLPC have carried out the monitoring program with support from DFO.

The MPAs science monitoring program has 4 components:

1. logbooks
2. at-sea sampling
3. fall sampling (tagging program)
4. the tag return program (all described below)

The spring program (logbooks and at-sea sampling) is conducted during the commercial fishery, while the fall sampling is a research program which monitors and tags lobsters inside and outside the MPA.

Analysis from these data sources indicates that in the local area:

1. catch-per-unit-effort is increasing over time
2. average size of both male and female lobsters is increasing inside the MPAs
3. population size structure is broadening

Lobster harvesters from the 7 core communities are eligible to participate in the commercial catch sampling and fall tagging research. The shared exchange of information between fishers, scientists, fishery managers, and enforcement officers at the advisory committee meetings and in the field has benefited all participants with increased knowledge, understanding, trust, and efficiency.

4.1 Logbooks

From 1997 to 2009, Eastport lobster harvesters participated in a voluntary logbook program throughout the commercial lobster fishing season. Each day they collected information on the number of:

• legal-size lobsters caught
• traps hauled
• commercial berried (egg-bearing) females
• lobster V-notched by the harvester
• undersized males and females (Janes 2005)

In 2010, the logbook program became mandatory for all lobster fishers as a condition of license. This program collects the same data except for information on undersized lobsters and berried females. That year the Eastport harvesters used only the mandatory logbooks, and data on undersized lobsters and berried females was not collected. This practice was reviewed, and now a single combined logbook with mandatory and voluntary sections (on undersized lobsters and berried females) has been put in place for Eastport peninsula harvesters.

The logbook data is used to calculate catch per unit effort (CPUE), showing the number of commercial-sized lobsters in the Eastport area. Data shows that commercial CPUE has increased from 1997 to 2022 (Figure 3). This is consistent with average CPUE for the Newfoundland region, but some areas have declined while other areas have increased (DFO 2021-a).

4.2 At-sea sampling program

At-sea sampling data has been collected annually since 1998 throughout the EPLMA. During the commercial fishing season, harvesters sample every third commercial trap, recording carapace length, sex, and presence of eggs and/or V-notch. From this data, average size (carapace length) is calculated for males and females, and size frequency distributions are created and used as biological indicators. Results show that the average size of males and females has increased (Figure 4).

This program provides data on the population structure during the commercial season. Detailed data for 2022 from the Eastport area is shown in Figure 5 below.

The increased number of large females is likely a result of V-notching. The increased number of large lobster (both male and female) provides a higher reproductive capacity.

4.3 Fall sampling program

Since 1997, 2 crews of harvesters were trained and hired to conduct the tagging program. Originally sampling 50 pots per crew over the entire season, in recent years, a total of 120 pots per crew are sampled – which includes 20 small and 20 large modified traps, and 80 commercial traps. This research takes place early in the fall (September – October) inside the MPA (Round and Duck Islands) and outside the MPA in the adjacent commercial fishing areas (Figure 6). Traps are sampled every day, weather permitting, for a 3 to 5 week period. Fishers tag the lobster with streamer tags and collect and record information on:

• carapace length
• sex
• berried status
• v-notch status
• tag numbers
• trap number
• area and location captured or recaptured

All lobster captured are measured to collect information on the population structure and average size of lobsters.

The fall tagging data shows an increase in the relative abundance of large lobsters (male and female) from 1997 to 2022 inside the Round Island and Duck Islands MPAs, and a broadening of the population size structure – both male and female lobsters are reaching larger sizes. Figure 7 and Figure 8 show the change in the population size structure inside the MPA since 1997 when the areas were first closed to lobster fishing.

4.4 Assessment of American Lobster in Newfoundland

The latest assessment of American lobster in Newfoundland took place in 2021 and is currently assessed every 3 years. Lobster Fishing Areas (LFAs) are assessed based on 4 geographical regions:

• Northeast Coast (LFAs 3-6) (where the Eastport MPAs are within LFA 5)
• Avalon (LFAs 7-10)
• South Coast (LFAs 11-12)
• West Coast (LFAs 13-14), Figure 9

The assessment is limited to fishery-dependant data, and uses reported landings, catch per unit effort (CPUE), and relative survival index as key indicators of the status of the resource. There are sources of uncertainty associated with these data, e.g., inconsistent reporting across areas, and as such it is difficult to determine total removals for any given year (DFO 2021-a).

Overall, summer sea surface temperature has been increasing since 1981 in all 4 regions, leading to favorable oceanographic habitat conditions for lobster. However, reported landings in the South and West Coast Regions are increasing while those in the Northeast Coast and Avalon Regions are near historic lows as shown in Figure 10 below.

In the South and West Coast Regions, CPUE has steadily increased over the years to reach recent highs, while remaining unchanged and at low levels in the Northeast and Avalon regions. Based on size frequency distributions (Figure 11), more lobsters are reaching larger sizes in the Northeast and Avalon Regions while few lobsters are surviving to larger sizes in the South and West Coast Regions. This suggests there is higher fishing pressure in the South and West Coast Regions compared to the Northeast Coast and Avalon Regions. V-notching was shown to have a high level of success at protecting egg-bearing females from fishing mortality. In all assessment Regions, most of the large surviving lobster in the population were v-notched females.

5 Compliance promotion and enforcement

To achieve the conservation objectives, effective compliance strategies are required. This section of the management plan addresses the operational responsibilities of DFO to meet regulatory requirements. The Eastport MPAs Advisory Committee identified compliance concerns within the MPAs early. Critical periods have been identified as the summer months when tourism is at its peak (i.e., July – August); and the early fall season (i.e., September – October) because lobster monitoring and recreational cod fisheries are both taking place.

Since 2007, DFO has increased patrols in the Eastport MPAs and the EPLMA. Fisheries officers are designated as Enforcement Officers under the Oceans Act and have the power to collect evidence and lay charges. Officers make additional boat and air patrols to enforce the MPA regulations, especially during vulnerable times of the year. Compliance strategies include:

• monitoring and surveillance activities
• special investigations, or undercover operations as necessary
• a combination of education and awareness programs

Between 2007 and 2022, 241 boat patrols and 49 aircraft surveillance flights of the MPA were completed, searches were conducted, minor wildlife violations were found, and a written warning was issued under the MPAs' regulations. To date, no charges have been laid. Enforcement and compliance monitoring will continue to be an important part of the Eastport MPAs program. Reduced poaching and adherence to mandatory controls and protection measures is supported by increased DFO patrols and oversight by local harvesters. The relationship between the community and DFO is strong, and it's believed that any illegal activity in the area would be reported.

The aim of compliance monitoring is to promote adherence to the regulations and management measures. Non-compliance detected by patrols and inspections will result in appropriate enforcement actions. Enforcement of the regulations and subsequent offences will be dealt with under the Oceans Act or Fisheries Act as applicable. There will also be a reliance on feedback from community members to assess the effectiveness of compliance programs and management measures. DFO fishery officers have reported excellent cooperation from community residents, showing continued support for the Eastport MPAs. Violations of the regulations carry penalties under the Oceans Act for summary convictions and indictable offences. Violations of the Fisheries Act such as non-compliance with license conditions or management measures carry additional penalties.

6 Public awareness, engagement, education, and outreach

Public awareness, supported by educational and stewardship initiatives, are critical factors in ensuring the long-term success of an MPA. Compliance with regulations is higher when community members and the public are aware of the goals and management strategies of an MPA. The Eastport MPAs were initiated at the request of local users and community representatives, and their involvement in planning and management has continued through their participation in the advisory committee. Their knowledge and understanding of the ecological importance of Eastport is likely to further instill an attitude of appreciation and pride in people living, working, and visiting in the area.

6.1 Meetings

DFO works closely with stakeholders and interested parties in the development and management of the Eastport MPAs. This teamwork is facilitated through annual committee meetings in Eastport. Also, public meetings and science briefings occur when necessary to present the results of monitoring and research and receive feedback and questions from stakeholders.

6.2 Projects

Website

The Eastport MPA web page was established in 2002 during the development phase of the Eastport MPAs and has continued to serve as an online resource since that time. The site contains:

• links
• background information
• maps
• photos
• Eastport MPAs Regulations
• Activity Plan application process

It will continue to be updated as needed with new and revised content.

Mini documentary

In 2016, Skyreach Media was contracted to produce a mini documentary video on the Eastport MPA. This high-quality mini documentary showcases the beauty of the Eastport Peninsula and gives an overview of the MPAs' history. The mini documentary will be used in communications materials aimed at school aged children and the public. This Eastport Marine Protected Area: Protecting Newfoundland's Lobster video gives people a general sense of the MPAs' location and surrounding environment, and its purpose.

7 Reporting and adaptive management

This management plan is a living document and may be adapted in consultation with the advisory committee and affected users as new information becomes available. Over the next 2 years, data collected from the Eastport MPAs monitoring programs will be further studied and included in a detailed monitoring report.

The renewal of the advisory committee is another challenge that needs to be addressed to ensure that all affected groups continue to be represented and that local information is considered in decision-making. The committee was initially formed in 2002 and membership and meeting attendance have gradually declined since that time. The original terms of reference did not include mechanisms to promote membership renewal and ensure that all affected parties could be involved. A new terms of reference will be drafted to include provisions for renewal and will be reviewed by the committee.

Public meetings, hosted by the advisory committee, should also be held regularly to attract new members. Collaboration with researchers will continue to investigate areas of study that will benefit the MPAs and lobster research in Newfoundland and Labrador. The success of this small coastal MPA relies on community support and the participation and involvement of the advisory committee.

Contact us

Readers are encouraged to provide feedback on any aspect of the management plan and can do so using the following contact information:

MPAs Management Team
Aquatic Ecosystems Branch, DFO
Newfoundland and Labrador Region
PO Box 5667
St. John's NL A1C 5X1
DFO.NLOceans-OceansTNL.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Related information

• Eastport Marine Protected Areas Regulations

References

• DFO (2021)a. Assessment of American Lobster in Newfoundland. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2021/008.
• DFO (2021)b. The Current – managing Oceans Act MPAs now, for the future – summary report 2021. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
• Hewlin, C. (2002) Socio-Economic Overview of the Eastport Peninsula, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland. Prepared for: Oceans Management Section, Fisheries and Oceans Canada. St. John's.
• Janes, J. (2005) Lobster Data Analysis: Eastport and Leading Tickles MPA. Contract submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada on January 13, 2005.
• LGL Limited (Environmental Research Associates). 2001. A Biophysical Overview of Eastport, Bonavista Bay. St. John's, NL: LGL Report SA684.
• Statistics Canada. 2021 Census of Population. Census of Population (statcan.gc.ca). Accessed September 22, 2022.