The following statement was issued today by Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

The status of the American Marten

I would like to take this opportunity to update the Honourable Members of the House of Assembly on the initiative taken by my department to secure the future of the endangered Newfoundland American Marten. The marten, which was listed as threatened in 1986 with a population of 600-800 animals, was listed as endangered earlier this year with an estimated population of 300.

I would like to reaffirm this government's commitment to ensuring that the marten does not go extinct. I would like to outline some of the ongoing activities of my department which we believe will collectively lead to the recovery of the species so that it will no longer be considered threatened or endangered.

In cooperation with the Western Newfoundland Model Forest Inc. and stakeholders and interest groups, my department is involved in defining a proposed combined wilderness and wildlife reserve in the area of Little Grand Lake. This reserve will consist of 167,000 ha in total which will protect in excess of 50,000 hectares of prime marten habitat. Conservation of the marten habitat is necessary to protect the core population of marten at Little Grand Lake. With this well-rounded team of scientists, industry and community representatives working together to define the area to be protected, we will soon be able to make this marten reserve a reality.

Establishing formally protected reserves is not the only strategy to protect marten habitat. We are negotiating with stakeholders such as the large pulp and paper companies to leave sufficient habitat for marten to survive in forest harvesting areas outside of these special reserves. Reserves alone will not ensure the long term survival of the species.

One of the most significant dangers to marten populations is accidental snaring. To protect the marten, we have declared areas where this activity is not longer allowed. This year we closed a portion of the Main River watershed to snaring and trapping. As well, we are examining other areas to be considered for some form of closure over the next several years. Snaring and trapping has been banned in the core marten area at Little Grand Lake since 1973. Several years ago we expanded the "no snare" area to include Glover Island.

My officials are sensitive to the fact that we cannot ban snaring and trapping activities in all areas where the marten occur. However, it is still imperative to protect the animal as much as possible. To achieve this, we, in cooperation with others, are also investigating modified snaring and trapping techniques which would allow for persons to continue with these activities without accidentally killing marten.

My department has been very proactive in studying the American marten. I would like my fellow colleagues to recognize the value of on- going scientific research which help us to understand this animal better and put ourselves in a better position to ensure its survival: (1) We are partners in a study in the Little Grand Lake and Red Indian Lake areas; (2) We are working with biologists in Terra Nova National Park with the objective of having the marten more widely distributed throughout the island portion of the province, rather than be concentrated in only one protected reserve; (3) We have initiated a captive breeding program at the Salmonier Nature Park, with the objective of enhancing the population and introducing them to new locations; and, (4) We are are planning to explore modified wood harvesting practises with both Corner Brook Pulp & Paper and Abitibi/Price to protect habitat for marten.

I would like to emphasize, the financial support for marten research and management for 1996/97 will be $530,000, of which 27 per cent is a direct contribution from the province. Other major research funding partners include, the Western Newfoundland Model Forest, Forestry Canada, Terra Nova National Park, and the Endangered Species Recovery Fund of the World Wildlife Fund.

Finally, I would like to address the concerns regarding American marten habitat in the vicinity of Star Lake. I acknowledge that a small amount of marten habitat will be lost as a result of the Star Lake Hydro Development. However, that loss will probably affect about four animals and even then the effects will be minor, amounting to a loss of about 10 per cent of each animals' home range. Therefore, my department does not consider this development as a major threat to the future of the marten.

What we must strive for is a balance between protecting a sufficient amount of habitat for the marten to survive and recover, while allowing for the sustainable development of our natural resources. We believe that the strategy we have in place will give the marten the best opportunity to recover and thrive.