Newfoundland and Labrador, located on the Atlantic coast, is the eastern most province in Canada

Emerging community-based approaches to management reflect the changing role of government. As a basis for Integrated Management in Newfoundland and Labrador, a program was initiated in 1997 to prepare an inventory of coastal resources. In order to make the initiative inclusive and ensure input of local knowledge, a community-based approach was developed. Community groups have used the information for planning economic development activities that may help diversify local economies and sustain rural settlements. Eco-tourism, including whale and seabird watching, kayaking, and hiking, has been highlighted and opportunities for diversification and development in the fisheries have been recommended. The results of the work have also been used extensively by DFO in planning and conflict resolution in the aquaculture industry, environmental assessments related to coastal developments, and sensitivity mapping for environmental emergencies. Communities have also played a key role in the identification of Marine Protected Areas in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Eastport Peninsula Lobster Fishermen’s Committee proposed closing two critical areas of lobster habitat to all fisheries. The goal of the project is to sustain and enhance the local lobster fishery for commercial harvesters in the area. In October 2000, Eastport was officially announced as an Area of Interest in the MPA Programme. In 1999, representatives of the communities of Port Hope Simpson and Williams Harbour, proposed the establishment of a MPA in Gilbert Bay, a long narrow inlet adjacent to the two communities. Concern was expressed that the genetically distinct cod stock in the Bay could be eliminated during a pulse fishery. The goal of the project is to increase understanding of the cod stock and its habitat requirements and determine what sustainable harvest options may be available. In October 2000, Gilbert Bay was officially announced as an Area of Interest in the MPA Programme. BACKGROUND Newfoundland and Labrador, located on the Atlantic coast, is the most easterly province in Canada. It has a landmass of 400,000 sq km and 28,800 km of coastline. The majority of the province’s 539,000 people reside in coastal communities. In the early 1990s, groundfish stocks were at such low numbers that severe restrictions on catch limits were introduced, and a moratorium on the commercial harvest of Northern cod (Gadus morhua) was implemented. The implications for rural Newfoundland and Labrador, which rely so heavily on the fishery, were devastating. Unemployment rates rose to 18.3% provincially as compared to 7% nationally, and a subsequent outmigration of residents in search of employment resulted. In recent years, fishing efforts have been redirected towards other species including northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and snow crab (Chinoectes opilio). In fact the value of fisheries landings in 2000 was $538M, the highest landed value ever recorded in the history of the province. However, the shellfish fishery is not as labour intensive as traditional fisheries, and therefore has not brought significant relief to rural communities where unemployment remains a concern. Also, these fisheries are often prosecuted offshore by larger ships in areas that are not within reach of the traditional inshore fleet. New activities are arising along the coasts of the province. Aquaculture, eco-tourism, recreation, and the oil and gas industry now compete for ocean space that was historically restricted to the traditional fishery and marine transport sectors. The potential for conflict among these ocean users requires that an open process involving all interested and affected stakeholders be established to promote conflict resolution and prevention. In 1997, Canada introduced the Oceans Act. The Oceans Act identifies the geographical boundaries of Canada’s oceans areas, identifies the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) as the lead federal authority in oceans related issues, and lays the groundwork principles for Canada’s future management of its oceans. The Oceans Act is based on the premise that oceans must be managed as ecosystems, and that all activities that occur within estuaries, coastal, Page 21, Power & Mercer: Fishers’ Knowledge in Newfoundland and Labrador or offshore waters are managed through a collaborative effort by all stakeholders. Supporting principles include sustainable development, integrated management, and use of a precautionary approach. The Act also includes provisions for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas and the establishment of Marine Environmental Quality guidelines, objectives, and criteria. The economic, social and cultural significance of the fishery to the lives of the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador requires that fishers, as key stakeholders, contribute to and collaborate in the management of ocean resources. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT (IM) Integrated Management is an ongoing process which brings stakeholders together to collaboratively manage activities within and affecting the oceans and resolve/ prevent conflict. It incorporates the social, cultural, environmental, and economic values of the stakeholders involved. COMMUNITY BASED COASTAL RESOURCE INVENTORIES (CCRIS) In 1997 a program was initiated to develop an inventory of coastal resources which would form the basis for integrated management in the province. It was decided that a community-based approach would be adopted. This would ensure that communities were included and encouraged in the collation of local knowledge. A procedures manual for community based coastal resource inventories in Newfoundland and Labrador was developed in 1998 to guide the process. Community groups, in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, have been involved in project planning, soliciting funding, training, project monitoring, and quality control. The primary focus of these projects has been the collection of information required in the management of the oceans. Individuals and groups targeted for interviews have included those having special knowledge, interests, or expertise in the oceans, including local environmental or recreational groups, diving clubs, and so on. However, local fishers have been the primary target group. The interviews have focussed on the collection of such information as the types of fish, marine mammals, marine plants, spawning areas, types of commercial fisheries, the locations of wharves, fish processing plants, and boat repair facilities, etc. The scope of the inventory may also include the collection of information of cultural and/or recreational significance, or any other category that time and money permit and local people consider relevant to the inventory. The deliverables of the Community based Coastal Resource Inventories include both a final hardcopy and digital report, along with a database of coastal resource information. Information from the database can be extracted to create a series of atlases, or maps, illustrating key resource information. CCRIs have been completed for nearly the entire insular portion of the province and work has begun in Labrador. Interested and affected stakeholders can use the coastal resource inventory information for planning economic development and diversification activities, and highlighting emerging eco-tourism, recreational, or fisheries