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Coast of Bays

Background Information

Historically, the economy of the Coast of Bays region was largely dependent on traditional fisheries; however, since the closure of the commercial Atlantic cod and salmon fisheries in the early 1990’s, the areas dependence on traditional fisheries has changed. A limited, but successful fishery still remains, however, it has diversified, utilizing both traditional and non-traditional species. 

The Coast of Bays region is also diversifying into other sectors as well. Today this region is considered the finfish aquaculture centre of Newfoundland. Its success in the production of steelhead trout and Atlantic salmon, and to a lesser degree shellfish species, has attracted much attention to the region and has created positive potential for expansion. Other activities in the area include fish processing, hydroelectric production, forestry, agriculture, and recreation and tourism. This diversity of activities in and around the coastal zone, and the potential for increase in particular activities, calls for strategic planning for future coastal development and sustainable resource use.

The need for strategic planning in the area has initiated a community-based coastal zone management initiative. Coastal zone management or integrated management is a process by which rational decisions are made concerning the health, protection, and cooperative/sustainable use of coastal and ocean resources and space. Ideally, this is accomplished through a multidisciplinary approach that brings together sector and public interest, levels of government and community, as well as science and management.

The coastal planning initiative is becoming a reality in the Coast of Bays. Over the past several years, with support from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, preliminary projects have been on-going in the region to catalogue the biological and physical characteristics of the coastal area, to inform community stakeholders of the coastal planning initiative, to build community support, to continually include stakeholders in the planning process, and to establish the Coast of Bays Coastal Planning Committee.

The Coastal Planning Committee is comprised of ten individuals and several ex-officio members representing various regional stakeholder groups such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, recreational boaters and cabin owners, harbour authorities, the Coast of Bays Corporation, municipalities, aboriginal groups and government. Through collaboration with communities and regional stakeholder groups, the Coastal Planning Committee promotes and coordinates an integrated relationship amongst all sectors to encourage and support harmonious, productive and sustainable coastal areas.