Developing a strategic framework for national marine conservation area establishment in the Bay of Fundy.

摘要

One of Canada's options for conservation using the marine reserve approach is Parks Canada's National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) program. Parks Canada has divided Canada's oceans and Great Lakes into twenty-nine distinct marine regions, of which the Bay of Fundy is one. With its high level of unique biological diversity and human activity, the Bay of Fundy may be a good candidate site for pursuing NMCA establishment in the near future. However, it is critical not to base NMCA establishment decisions solely on a biophysical foundation without considering the social condition and interests of the region. This study explores the potential for NMCA establishment in the Bay of Fundy by examining the current views of various members of the broadly defined Bay of Fundy community. Qualitative research, in the form of interviews, was conducted around the Bay of Fundy perimeter to answer two primary research questions: where in the Bay of Fundy would the community be most supportive of pursuing talks on this idea; and what process of engagement would the be most appropriate to pursue to increase the likelihood of success? (Abstract shortened by UMI.)