Conservation History

Conservation interest in The Gully has grown considerably over the last decade. Government agencies, researchers, marine industries and conservationists have taken significant steps to recognize and protect this unique canyon feature.

Modern conservation interest in The Gully began with a program of whale research. Hal Whitehead and colleagues in the Biology Department at Dalhousie University have conducted cetacean studies in The Gully since 1988. Much of this group's research has focused on a year-round population of northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus), a member of the Ziphiid or beaked whale family.

In 1990, a tanker exclusion zone was established around Sable Island and The Gully by LASMO Resources, initial operators of the Panuke-Cohasset hydrocarbon field to the west of Sable Island.

In 1992, Parks Canada undertook a study to identify representative marine areas on the Scotian Shelf. A large area encompassing The Gully and Sable Island was selected as one of three Natural Areas of Canadian Significance. One of these areas will be chosen to represent the Scotian Shelf region in the Parks Canada system of national marine conservation areas.

In 1994, Fisheries and Oceans designated The Gully Whale Sanctuary in an effort to reduce ship collisions and limit noise disturbance. The Whale Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 1040 square kilometres.

Also in 1994, a workshop was organized by the Canadian Wildlife Service to address broader conservation issues in The Gully. Participants discussed the area's biological significance and reviewed the adequacy of existing conservation measures. A key outcome of the workshop was the call for an overall conservation strategy.

In 1996, The Gully population of northern bottlenose whales was listed as "vulnerable" by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

In 1997, six natural gas fields to the west of The Gully entered a production phase. The Environmental Impact Statement for the Sable Offshore Energy Project identified The Gully as a 'unique ecological site' and 'valued ecosystem component'. A Joint Public Review of the project also highlighted the ecological importance of The Gully.

In 1997, Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiated The Gully Conservation Strategy to address growing conservation interest. The first phase of the Strategy was a review of available science. The second phase was a description of conservation issues and stakeholder viewpoints. The Conservation Strategy document, released in 1998, included a conservation objective, goals and recommendations for planning and management.

In December 1998, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans announced that a core area of The Gully had been selected as an Area of Interest (AOI) in the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Program. The Gully AOI included the deep canyon, the Whale Sanctuary and a range of other habitats valued for their biological communities. The AOI covered an area of approximately 1850 square kilometres.

In the December 1998 AOI announcement, the Minister also described the need for integrated oceans management and a more systematic approach to MPA selection. The Minister recommended that: 1) DFO lead and facilitate an integrated management planning process for the Eastern Scotian Shelf; and, 2) that DFO lead the development of a comprehensive plan for the selection and prioritization of MPAs on the Scotian Shelf. Both undertakings ensure that The Gully is part of an extensive planning process.

Between 1998 and 1999, a Gully Code of Practice was drafted as part of the Environmental Protection Plan for the Sable Offshore Energy Project. The Code addresses waste management, vessel routing and aircraft flights for personnel working near The Gully. Environmental monitoring for the project also includes benthic and acoustic sampling near The Gully.

In 1999, the Canada Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board adopted a Gully Policy which stated that no new oil and gas activity would be permitted in The Gully Area of Interest.