Overview
- Parks Canada confirmed it has halted the feasibility study after Newfoundland and Labrador withdrew from a multi-party agreement.
- The province said a protected area would threaten local fishing and aquaculture, echoing an industry campaign to “save south coast jobs.”
- Miawpukek First Nation Chief Brad Benoit and Burgeo Mayor Trever Green said they were not consulted before the decision.
- The proposal had shrunk from about 9,114 to 6,500 square kilometres, with more than 95% slated to allow compatible activities such as fishing, tourism and shipping.
- Environmental groups, including WWF-Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, called the move a major setback to national targets, noting Canada has pledged 10 new marine sites and currently protects about 15.5% of coastal and marine areas.