Axing N.L. ocean conservation site a ‘blow’ to national goals, say environment groups

A kayak is shown in Sandbanks Provincial Park near Burgeo, N.L., in a May 2025 handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Derrick Mercer (Mandatory Credit)

ST. JOHN’S — Environmental groups say the government of Newfoundland and Labrador has dealt a blow to Canadian nature preservation goals by scrapping plans for a possible marine conservation area.

Parks Canada confirmed Thursday that it will halt a feasibility study for a proposed marine conservation area off Newfoundland’s south coast, after the provincial government said it would no longer participate.

James Snider with WWF-Canada says the provincial government’s move is illustrative of a larger, worrying trend of declining political will to conserve nature.

Canada has promised to establish 10 new national marine conservation areas by 2030 and the proposed region in Newfoundland’s south coast fiords was one of 10 active proposals for such sites.

Meanwhile, Chief Brad Benoit of the Miawpukek First Nation in southern Newfoundland says he was not consulted about the province’s decision.

The government said earlier this week it will axe a memorandum of understanding to study the proposed site because a conservation area would threaten local fishing and aquaculture.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2026.