March 1997
The Department of Lands and Forests, as part of its duties to conserve and protect wildlife, has begun a program of designating certain publicly owned coastal islands as Wildlife Management Areas. Islands, particularly along marine coasts, are considered valuable areas because of their unusual plant and animal life. Seabirds use islands as breeding grounds because these areas are relatively free of land predators.
Rapidly increasing coastline development for recreational as well as industrial purposes, accidental introductions of ground predators such as rats, and intentional introductions of sheep have all contributed to the decline, and in some local cases, virtual elimination of seabird colonies. The disturbing effects of human activity on breeding islands also creates an unnatural opportunity for gulls and crows to take unattended eggs and chicks.
Protection of existing seabird colonies is important because these birds appear to play a necessary role in the recycling of nutrients, a process fundamental to the maintenance of life in the sea. Seabirds also are of recreational value. Many people enjoy taking scheduled boat trips to view colonial seabirds on Ciboux and Hertford Islands in Cape Breton and the Bird Islands of Halifax County. In addition, several islands along the Nova Scotia coastline provide optimum nesting habitat for the Common Eider, a sea duck that provides sport hunting for many Nova Scotians.
Among the islands declared as Wildlife Management Areas are Pearl Island in Lunenburg County, Scatari Island in Cape Breton and a group of 20 islands along the eastern shore which have been combined into one management area. These islands are Round, Speck, Sutherland, Pumpkin, Horse, Brother, Harbour, Beaver, Flag, High, Brokenback, Bird, Gold, Halibut, Little Goose, Puffin, Frying Pan, Camp, White and Little White.
As Wildlife Management Areas all 22 islands are protected from undue human disturbances. But allowance is made for applying a wide range of management techniques to maintain optimum seabird populations. Specifically, the regulations prohibit anyone from landing on the islands from April 1 to August 15 of any year, except commercial fisherman retrieving lobster traps or other materials essential to their business operations, and those persons with written permission from the Minister of Lands and Forests or his agent. However, waterfowl hunting will be permitted during the open season as determined by provincial and federal statutes.
These management measures are vital if we are to protect and maintain these unique wildlife resources for present and future Nova Scotians to enjoy.