Newfoundland and Labrador participates in Atlantic Conference on Coastal and Marine Areas Protection

Newfoundland and Labrador joined forces with the other Atlantic Canadian provinces today by announcing that the province would participate in a promotional campaign aimed at protecting Canada's coastal and marine areas. Beaton Tulk, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, participated in the conference, and also represented the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Sandra Kelly.

His Royal Highness Prince Philip, President Emeritus of the World Wildlife Fund (International) attended the news conference which was held in Halifax and spearheaded by the World Wildlife Fund. The purpose of the conference was to announce and discuss measures being put forward by the Atlantic Provinces and the federal government to establish and develop marine and terrestrial protected areas in Atlantic Canada. "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has made ecological conservation a top priority in recent years, in keeping with the province's promotion of its exceptional natural, scenic and wildlife resources," Mr. Tulk said. Mr. Tulk discussed the following topics:

NATURAL AREAS SYSTEMS PLAN:
The province has prepared a draft plan that identifies and proposes areas for consideration as representative and special reserves. It is anticipated that the plan will be released to the public this year for the purpose of soliciting comment and/or identifying potential conflicts in these areas.

NATIONAL MARINE CONSERVATION AREA:
The province has agreed to participate with Parks Canada in a feasibility study, focusing on Bonavista Bay and Notre Dame Bay as a potential National Marine Conservation Area representing the Newfoundland Shelf. The study is scheduled for completion within 18 months.

KING GEORGE IV ECOLOGICAL RESERVE:
This reserve was established in November 1996. It will protect one of the province's best grassland delta sites, utilized by nesting and staging waterfowl. The achievement of this reserve was the culmination of many years work by the provincial government, the Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Advisory Council, and the generous contribution of two corporate bodies - Noranda and Abitibi-Price. The Nature Conservancy of Canada was instrumental in having these companies relinquish their mineral and timber rights.

STATUS OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND AMERICAN MARTEN:
The province has defined a proposed wilderness and wildlife area dedicated to preserving the Newfoundland American Marten. There are less than 300 of these animals left in existence, and last year they were upgraded to Endangered Species Status. There are also new trapping regulations being proposed to ensure that fewer animals are accidentally caught and killed.

Contact: Laura Cochrane, Director of Communications, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, (709) 729-0928; or Anna Buffinga, Director of Communications (acting), Department of Forest Resources Agrifoods (709) 729-3750.