NLIS 3
October 3, 2001 
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

 

 


Pine marten program begins second year in central Newfoundland

Kevin Aylward, minister responsible for wildlife resources in the province, today announced that the second year of the education and stewardship program for resource users in the Red Indian Lake area of central Newfoundland is now under way and will continue through to the winter of 2002.

"The objective of this program is to reduce accidental snaring/trapping mortality of the endangered Newfoundland pine marten through intensive ground level interactions with consumptive resource user groups in the Red Indian Lake (RIL) area," said Minister Aylward. "A reduced accidental mortality hinges on the ability of these user groups to understand, support and conduct activities in a manner supportive of marten populations on the island of Newfoundland, in other words to become stewards of this endangered species." 

The Red Indian Lake Marten Stewardship Project was initiated by the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division in December 2000. The project is a joint initiative of the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division, Abitibi Consolidated and Environment Canada.

Activities to be conducted during the 2001/2002 snaring and trapping season include education and awareness seminars for snarers and trappers. Information will be provided on proper equipment use, marten biology and recovery efforts, and recording snaring and trapping efforts to evaluate total effort. As well, presentations are planned on the modified snaring and trapping program within towns near the Red Indian Lake area. Modified snare/trapping equipment, information sheets, maps, and other information will be distributed to participants. 

Minister Aylward pointed out that in addition to the continuation of the stewardship activities, plans are now under way to equip up to 10 marten with radio collared transmitters within the study area. "These collared marten are a very important component of the Red Indian Lake activities, and I encourage any person who may encounter a marten, with or without a collar, to report it immediately to the nearest conservation officer or Inland Fish and Wildlife Division employee." 

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928
                      John Blake, Manager, Conservation Services, (709) 637-2354.

2001 10 03                              11:15 a.m.


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