Conservation network sites for the Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy Bioregion

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has worked with partners and ocean users to develop a draft conservation network plan for the Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy Bioregion. This work led to the 2017 draft conservation network plan. The draft plan was updated after targeted consultations from 2021 to 2022. The latest draft reflects new science information on climate change, updated human-use activities (such as fisheries data), and feedback from consultations. This dataset includes the latest existing and proposed conservation sites in the Scotian Shelf-Bay of Fundy Bioregion. Existing sites: -Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) -Marine refuges -Migratory bird sanctuary, National Wildlife area and National Park with marine components Proposed sites: -Areas of Interest (AOIs) and their lead agency -Tier 1 sites – higher priority for implementation and are among the sites that could be selected for advancement by 2030. These sites have high conservation value based on the confirmed presence of key ecological features. The lead federal agency is specified for all tier 1 sites. -Tier 2 sites - are important to create a representative conservation network but will not be considered for advancement by 2030. These sites require more research and information on ecological features and human uses before implementation. -Other sites have also been identified through network planning. These are not considered part of the conservation network plan at this time. Proposed conservation sites: 1. Cobequid Bay 2. Southern Bight 3. Chignecto Bay 4. Salmon Rivers 5. Bay of Fundy Horse Mussel Aggregations 6. West Isles and Passages 7. Long Eddy 8. South Grand Manan 9. Brier Island 10. Chebogue 11. Eel Bay 12. McNutts Island 13. Pemsɨk 14. LaHave Islands 15. Sambro Ledges-Prospect 16. Martinique Beach and Musquodoboit Harbour 17. St. Mary’s (Napu’saqnuk) River and Estuary 18. Country Island 19. MacNamaras Island 20. Canso Ledges-Sugar Harbour Islands 21. Fleur-de-Lis Coast 22. Bird Islands 23. Ingonish 24. Aspy Bay 25. Bras d’Or Lake 26. Southwest Bank 27. Western Jordan Basin 28. Georges Bank 29. LaHave Basin 30. Scotian Gulf 31. Central Scotian Slope, Rise, and Abyss 32. Inner Shelf Sea Pen Field 33. Sable Island Bank 34. Logan Canyon 35. Canso Bank and Channels 36. Misaine Bank and Laurentian Channel 37. Eastern Shoal 38. Cold Seeps Boundaries are preliminary and subject to change following public consultation.