Digby Neck and Islands

The Digby Neck and Islands area is found on Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy coast. The area is made up of the narrow peninsula of Digby Neck, Long Island, Brier Island, and the surrounding marine waters including Saint Mary’s Bay, has many features that would make it an ideal NMCA candidate. The Bay of Fundy is globally renowned for having the world’s highest tides, and with that comes unique and vulnerable ecosystems. The ecological significance of this region is insurmountable and it deserves legal, permanent protection.

Ecological Significance

The Digby Neck and Islands Region is home to:

•   many species of fish, whales and other marine mammals

•   an abundance of coastal and marine plants including extensive macrophyte beds,

•   a number of species at risk (highly endangered North Atlantic right whale, harbour porpoise, fin whale, and Atlantic Cod)

•   a productive lobster area, providing habitat for spawning, nursery, rearing and feeding

•   a variety of groundfish such as cod, haddock, pollock and flounder

•   a more diverse group of migrant land and shorebirds, including rare species, than anywhere else in the Bay of Fundy (Brier Island)

Benefits of an NMCA

The Digby Neck and Islands area is feeling the effects of fisheries declines and other factors affecting many rural areas in Nova Scotia, and is in need of economic development and diversification. This has lead to proposals for large-scale industrial developments, which were met with great resistance from the local communities. The community wants to see development for the region that would not threaten remaining fisheries, a growing ecotourism industry, or the cultural character of the place.

The creation of an NMCA in the Digby Neck and Islands Region could:

•   be compatible with, and beneficial to, existing local fishing and tourism industries

•   bring improved infrastructure and job opportunities

•   benefit fish populations and other marine life

How can you help:

Creating an NMCA in the Digby Neck and Islands region will require local support, ongoing research, and the cooperation of various federal and provincial government departments, as well as other stakeholders. CPAWS-NS is committed to working with local communities and organizations to explore conservation opportunities for this region. If you are interested in protecting this important marine region, and would like to learn more or get involved, please contact the CPAWS-NS marine coordinator at marine@cpawsns.org.

Write to Parks Canada to let them know you support increased protection of the Bay of Fundy:

Doug Yurrick

Chief, Marine Program Coordination

Park Establishment Branch

Parks Canada

Gatineau, Quebec

K1A 0M5