Eastport Duck Island Marine Protected Area

To maintain a viable population of American lobster through the conservation, protection, and sustainable use of resources and habitats within the Eastport Peninsula Lobster Management Area, as well as to ensure the conservation and protection of threatened or endangered species. 

Prohibit 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 Eastport Peninsula is one of the most picturesque areas of Bonavista Bay. The rich, productive water surrounding the Peninsula are host to a wide range of groundfish, pelagic fish, shellfish, marine mammals and aquatic plants. The MPA comprises two small “no-take” areas surrounding Round Island and the Duck Islands, within a 400km² EPLMA conservation area. Fishing effort is restricted within the EPLMA, conservation measures such as v-notching are encouraged, and enforcement activity is increased. The EPLMA is also the focus of significant science monitoring and research.

The MPA was put in place to address declining lobster catches. There is now scientific evidence which suggests that protecting the two areas of prime lobster habitat and limiting lobster fisheries in the surrounding conservation area have sustained and perhaps enhanced the local lobster fishery.