Islands Designated As Wildlife Management Areas

Two small islands off the coast of Yarmouth County and one in Lunenburg County are providing better protection for breeding seabirds, including the endangered roseate tern.

The Brothers Islands, near Lower West Pubnico, Yarmouth Co., and Grassy Island, near Tancook Island, Lunenburg Co., have been designated wildlife management areas.

The designations on these islands are designed to limit human disturbance and protect the habitat of an endangered species. They should not greatly affect traditional uses of the areas.

People will, however, be prohibited from landing on the islands during the roseate tern breeding season, April 1 to Aug. 31. Fires are not allowed at any time and habitat alterations are only allowed if they will not have an adverse effect on roseate terns.

"During a public review of game sanctuaries and wildlife management areas in 2005, there was broad public support for the creation of nine new wildlife management areas, including these three islands," David Morse, Minister of Natural Resources, said today, April 4. "Government is responding to this public concern."

The Brothers are two small islands that have been identified as important nesting habitat for colonial nesting birds. In recent years they have been home to the largest and most productive roseate tern colony in Canada.

Grassy Island is a small, sandy island and has also been identified as an important nesting site for colonial nesting birds.

Roseate terns are listed as an endangered species under the Nova Scotia Endangered Species Act. The Canadian Roseate Tern Recovery Team had also recommended that the islands be protected.