Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area

To conserve and protect the Gilbert Bay cod and its habitats, as well as facilitate scientific research opportunities in the Gilbert Bay ecosystem and to promote public awareness, education and support of the Gilbert Bay MPA. 

Prohibits activities that disturb, damage, destroy or remove from this Area, living marine organisms or any part of their habitat, unless listed as exceptions in the Regulations or approved by the Minister.

The MPA provides long-term protection of the Gilbert Bay cod and its habitats. Gilbert Bay cod are a unique resident population of Atlantic cod, characterized by significant differences in the genetics, behavior, and physiology compared to other northern cod populations. The waters of shellfish, demersal and pelagic fish, and a wide variety of marine organisms and plants. The area is frequented by several species of waterfowl and marine mammals.