Locals contribute to coastal atlas information

Those who use local coastal areas are being asked to contribute to a new resource.

Throughout the coastal and marine areas between the Serpentine River and Cape Ray, local people are providing information to the Bay St. George and Port au Port Steering Committee. The information gathered will be compiled together in the form of an atlas of the coastline and possibly in a web-based format.

This compilation of information will be used to create a greater awareness of the coastal area, promote sustainable use of resources and provide opportunities for local communities, industry, government agencies, development boards and other organizations.

Local people supply details of coastal usage, including popular swimming holes, highly-used picnic areas, salmon rivers, commercial and recreational fishing areas, capelin beaches, coastal hiking trails, waterfowl and shorebird staging/nesting areas, oil and gas exploration, shipwrecks, sewage outfalls, eel fisheries, saltwater marshes, and many other types of important coastal and marine data.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans, a supporter of the project, will then validate the information for publication in the atlas.

Debra Coughlin, economic development officer for Zone 11 and Heather Gallant, community coordinator for regional economic development came to the Codroy Valley on March 11 to collect information from local residents.

Large maps were taped to tables and attendees were encouraged to mark significant places and annotate details. Ms. Coughlin and Ms. Gallant left the community meeting with maps full of notes on important local areas.

They will continue to travel throughout the area until early April, and encourage anyone living between the Serpentine River and Cape Ray to attend meetings to share any relevant information.

Those unable to attend a meeting may contact Debra Coughlin at dcoughlin@wec-center.nl.ca .