The Société pour la nature et les parcs SNAP Québec has submitted a proposal to create a protected area covering the grey zone of the disputed territorial boundaries between Quebec and Labrador. The proposal will provide a boost to the protection of caribou and salmon on the Lower North Shore, according to the organization’s biologist and general director Alain Branchaud.
The proposed sector covers 28,936 km2. It is currently not subject to any exploitation of natural resources. SNAP Québec wants to transform it into a green zone that would cover the territory from the Natashquan River to Blanc-Sablon.
3 winning governments
The governments of Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec should seize this unique opportunity as a solution to achieving the goal of conserving 30% of the territory by 2030. SNAP Quebec invites the three Ministers of the Environment to take the time to examine all the advantages of its proposal. It would allow Canada to make a jump of approximately 0.3% in its protected area commitment, 7.1% for Newfoundland and Labrador, and 1.9% for Quebec.
Two populations of woodland caribou could benefit from the protection of the targeted territory, namely those of Lac Joseph and Joir River. Part of the distribution range of these two threatened populations overlaps the grey zone.
With the Coasters and the Innus
“The Lower North Shore is full of magnificent salmon rivers, such as the Natashquan and Saint-Paul rivers. The sector targeted by the protected area project would ensure the conservation of the watershed heads of several salmon rivers. Atlantic salmon populations are currently experiencing a worrying decline and this protection could contribute to the long-term recovery of the species,” comments biologist Alain Branchaud.
The Société pour la nature et les parcs invites the leaders of the Innu Nation to take advantage of the call for projects to submit proposals for protected areas with their own boundaries. The Government of Quebec has launched an ambitious project to conserve public land by inviting all of civil society to participate in the call for projects for protected areas.
