Background

The Iles-de-la-Madeleine are located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Closest to the Atlantic Provinces, they are part of the province of Quebec since 1774. The terrestrial area is 202 km2, but an additional 60 km2 is composed of temporarily air exposed or lightly immersed sand at low tide. In 2001, 12 820 people were living on the islands. The economic activitiy is mainly seasonal and concerns marine resources exploitation and transformation as well as tourism.

The coast is indented with headlands and bays, cliffs, wide sandy beaches and dunes. The Iles-de-la-Madeleine are characterized by a semi-enclosed shallow sea (80 m on average). It is then the warmest marine area in eastern Canada which can support several species which are either absent or extremely rare in this northern area like a relic population of oysters. Snow crabs, lobsters and scallops are also widespread as well as many species of fish (Atlantic cod, Canadian plaice, flounder, white hake, sand lance, Atlantic halibut, mackerel, capelin and herring). Many birds are nesting on the coasts and many others stop by during their migration. Harp seals and hooded seals whelp on the ice cover and grey seals give birth on the offshore ice. Seals and whales are occasionally seen during their migration toward feeding or breeding sites.

Threats

• Habitat destruction by many recreational activities.

• Seabed destruction by oil and gas exploitation and development in the estuary and gulf of St. Lawrence

• Slowing down or stopping population recovery of endangered species (see table of endangered species in the Iles-de-la-Madeleine area).

• It is the case of the Piping plover, which is nesting on the beaches. Its nest is constantly threatened by motor vehicles. This area is important for its survival because it is a nesting area for 70 % of the population in Canada.

• Climate change.

Protection attempt

The Iles-de-la-Madeleine area has been selected by Parks Canada with two other sites as potential national marine conservation areas representing the Magdalen Shallows system. The feasibility study showed the population agreement two years ago. Since then, this project seems to be on hold because of a provincial/federal disagreement about the seabed property.