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Marine Protected Area - Areas of Interest

Leading Tickles

The Town of Leading Tickles is located in Notre Dame Bay on the Northeast coast of the island of Newfoundland. The rugged coastline consists of rocky headlands, coves, and beaches bordered by several large islands including Burnt Island, Cull Island, and Alcock Island. The waters surrounding Leading Tickles support a vast array of marine diversity including various species of groundfish, pelagic fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and aquatic plants. The numerous islands in the area provide habitat for marine waterfowl such as eider ducks, black ducks, terns, and the recent return of the American cormorant.

The people of Leading Tickles and nearby Glovers Harbour have benefited from their proximity to these rich marine resources. The commercial fishery continues to be the basis of the local economy with lobster, crab, and groundfish species currently the most valuable. It is the value of the marine resources that prompted the people of Leading Tickles and Glovers Harbour to approach Fisheries and Oceans Canada to implement measures that will ensure the conservation of the local species and their habitat.

In 1997, the Town of Leading Tickles, with the support of the Leading Tickles-Glovers Harbour Fisherpersons Committee, presented a proposal to Fisheries and Oceans Canada to consider the marine waters surrounding Leading Tickles (approx.. 50 km2 ) as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the Oceans Act. With the support of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the local fishers have identified key species and habitats that may require special protection.

In June 2001, Leading Tickles was officially announced as an Area of Interest (AOI) in the Marine Protected Area Program. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to working with the sponsors and stakeholders in the ongoing development and further evaluation of this site as a potential Marine Protected Area. This site offers Fisheries and Oceans Canada an opportunity to work in partnership with fishers, local interest groups, and other provincial and federal departments towards a common goal of ocean conservation.

For further information please contact:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Oceans Programs Division
Newfoundland Region
P.O. Box 5667, St. John's, NF
A1C 5X1