The
37 protected sites of Saint-Laurent Vision 2000:
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| Conservation
of 7000 hectares |
Îles de l'estuaire
National Wildlife
Area, in part
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Île-aux-Lièvres,
located in the middle of the St. Lawrence estuary off
Rivière-du-Loup, is owned by Société Duvetnor Ltée, a
non-profit society. Although the island was acquired in
1986 from a private firm, the flats were not included
in the transaction and were under seignorial tenure. Isolated
from the island since 1939, the flats were transferred
to Société Duvetnor, which has protected part of the area
with the help of St. Lawrence Vision 2000 (cadastral review).
The flats on Gros Pot and Petit Pot islands, just south
of Île-aux-Lièvres, have received protection, since they
belong to Société Duvetnor as well. The total area is
287.17 hectares.
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Aerial view towards
south-east
of Îles du Pot à L'Eau-de-Vie.
Photo: Patrick Plante, DU
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Aerial view towards
east
of Île Blanche. Photo: Ducks
Unlimited (DU) |
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The
measures implemented also took in part of the Îles de l’estuaire
National Wildlife Area (NWA), specifically the flats fringing
Blanche, Pot du Phare and Fraises islands.
These islands owned by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS)
received National Wildlife Area status in 1986. However,
some islands and flats within the NWA still did not have
a cadastral designation, and confusion remained over who
held title to the flats and over their precise boundaries.
A title search was conducted, clearly establishing that
the flats belonged to the islands at the time of the sale
or transfer thereof. The flats fringing the islands owned
by the CWS and by Société Duvetnor therefore belong to them.
As a result of this process, 316.10 hectares were added
to the area owned by the Canadian Wildlife Service. |
Although the islands themselves
are fairly small in area, except Île-aux-Lièvres, the flats
bordering them cover a large surface area and constitute a distinct
habitat. In this part of the estuary, tidal flats are characterized
by a rocky substrate carpeted with rich beds of brown algae.
These highly productive habitats attract large flocks of migrating
birds in the fall, with Black Ducks dominating on account of
their abundance.
Many other bird species can be seen here at different times
of the year, for example, Common Eiders, Golden-eyes, Oldsqaws,
mergansers, Double-Crested Cormorants, seagulls and sandpipers.
Fish (smelt, capelin and herring) are also abundant in the area.
On the flats of Blanche and aux Fraises islands, herds of grey
seals can be observed throughout the summer period. Beluga whales
visit the area around île aux Fraises and off the southwestern
part of Île-aux-Lièvres. A major spawning ground for herring
is known to exist off the western tip of that island.
These flats encompassing 603.27 hectares represent an important
contribution to the conservation, enhancement and management
of shoreline activities in the National Wildlife Area and on
the islands owned by Société Duvetnor.
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