Iles-de-la-Madeleine

Background

The Îles-de-la-Madeleine are located in the heart of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Although closest to Atlantic, the archipelago is part of the province of Quebec since 1774. The area land area is 202 square kilometers which has added 60 square miles of open sand or slightly submerged at low tide. In 2001, 12 820 islanders were counted. Economic activity is largely seasonal revolves around two major areas: the exploitation and processing of fishery resources and tourism.

The coastline is characterized by cliffs, long sandy beaches, dunes and bays. Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine are located in a semi-enclosed relatively shallow (80 m average). Thus, it is the warmest sea region of eastern Canada that encourages the presence of species absent or very rare for such a northern latitude like a relic population of oysters. Snow crab, lobster and scallops are found in many more species of fish (cod, American plaice, white hake, sand lance, Atlantic halibut, mackerel, capelin, herring). A multitude of birds nest on the edge of water and sea ducks and shorebirds are stopping there during their migration. The ice turns to haul off for harp and hooded who give birth in spring. Seals and whales are occasionally observed migrating their territories for feeding or calving.

The threatened Roseate Tern

Photo Jens Erickson

Endangered Species in Canada and likely to be designated threatened or vulnerable in Quebec, the roseate tern has elected the Iles de la Madeleine as the only nesting site in Quebec.

This seabird specializes in fishing for small saltwater fish, nesting in colonies among other species of terns, as the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) and Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea), which are more aggressive towards predators. As these colonies settled that where humans and predators are absent, it is even more important to protect its territory in order to preserve this unique species in Quebec. The islets isolated as the Iles-de-la-Madeleine, are therefore ideal sites for the establishment of a colony.

The roseate tern has a worldwide distribution and is leaking this in abundance in any region. It occurs mainly in Western Europe, north-eastern North America, the Caribbean and in some temperate regions of Asia. Canada represents the northern limit of distribution and hosts about 100 pairs of roseate terns, which represents 3% of world population. In the Islands, we find this Tern on Hog Island, on the Channel Island and the Second Islet. In winter, this species flies to the coast of South America.

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.

The mission of SNAP Québec in this project is to inform and bring together the various actors involved in establishing a marine protected area in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine to promote the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.

To give us a hand, sign our online petition for the protection of our marine environment!
Sign our petition (in french only) to protect our marines areas.