Plans and Policies to Protect... But actions speak louder than words

The Great Blue Heron over the shipwrecks in Big Tub Harbour (image from http://www.lacamomille.com/videopage/on/ZlwkbMMFSSM.html)

So these shipwrecks are at the end of Big Tub Harbour (part of Fathom Five National Marine Park). And as such, the tour boats (as shown above) drive down the harbour, spin in circles over the shipwrecks providing views for the tourist(s) on board and then leave the same way they came in resulting in a steady stream of boat traffic along the same pathway and spinning circles in the same location all summer. Concerns have been raised regarding the large jet-drive boats and the sediment that is stirred up by these actions. What are the environmental impact of these activities? Shouldn't Parks Canada be working to find out?

Parks Canada states that "By law, they [national parks] are protected for public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment, while being maintained in an unimpaired state for future generations." So from this, one would assume that in a National Park such as Fathom Five, Parks Canada is ensuring that the tourism industry is not 'impairing the state' of the environment.

Further, in the Parks Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Policy (Section 2.0 Management Planning),  Parks Canada goes further to say that “maintaining the structure and function of marine ecosystems will be the first priority when considering zoning and management…”. However, there is essentially no management of the tour boat traffic in Big Tub Harbour, other than restricted use on Sunday mornings to allow for divers to view the shipwrecks. But none out of regard for the structure an function of marine ecosystems in a high-traffic area.

Under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act there is an interesting statement that reads: "Whereas the Government of Canada is committed to adopting the precautionary principle in the conservation and management of the marine environment so that, where there are threats of environmental damage, lack of scientific certainty is not used as a reason for postponing preventive measures.”. Essentially, ignorance is not bliss. Is a high volume of boat traffic in and out of the harbour and over the shipwrecks not a threat to environmental damage?

It would appear, that Parks Canada has the support of federal law to manage the activities in the national park in order to protect the marine environment. In order to adequately manage and mitigate impacts, it is imperative to first understand the potential impacts. So why have the tour boats been able to operate, business as usual, with no management from Parks Canada?

These are questions that were asked by the residents of Big Tub Harbour. The response they eventually received after being brushed off numerous times, will be detailed in later blog posts.