Witless Bay Ecological Reserve

To protect significant seabird breeding habitat. The reserve provides habitat for a diversity of breeding seabirds which includes the largest concentration of Atlantic Puffins in North America. It is also home to the world's second largest Leach's Storm Petrel colony.

Species of Concern: atlantic puffin, leach's storm petrel, black-legged kittiwake, common murre

Restrictions

Public access to the islands is restricted. Scientists and researchers may be permitted access to Gull Island if they obtain the necessary permits.

In accordance with the Seabird Ecological Reserve Regulations, within a reserve, a person shall not:
1. Pollute or obstruct a stream or other body of water;
2. Dispose of garbage;
3. Introduce a plant or animal species, or any other organism;
4. Build or erect or cause to have built or erected a structure;
5. Hunt, remove or disturb wildlife;
6. Destroy, damage, remove, disturb or handle the home, den or nest of wildlife;
7. Be in possession of a firearm unless the firearm is securely wrapped and tied;
8. Destroy, damage, remove, displace or handle the egg of any wild bird;
9. Destroy, damage, remove or displace any wildlife, fossil or other natural object;
10. Remove or displace soil, sand, stone or gravel;
11. Prospect, claim stake, mine or quarry;
12. Post, destroy, damage, remove or displace a sign or other government property;
13. Light or maintain a fire, open or contained in boats, except contained fires which are permitted in ships travelling through the marine portion of a reserve;
14. Apply any chemical to a reserve;
15. Operate or be in possession of a personal watercraft within a reserve;
16. Operate a commercial establishment or commercial enterprise within a reserve, except guiding, touring, outfitting, photography, videography or sound recording, in accordance with a permit issued under these regulations;
17. Operate a non-commercial establishment or non-commercial enterprise within a reserve, except guiding, touring, outfitting, photography, videography or sound recording, in accordance with a permit issued under these regulations.
18. Within the Witless Bay Islands Ecological Reserve, a person shall not operate
(a) a motorized boat within 20 metres of Gull Island , Great Island and Pee Pee Island from April 1 to September 1;
(b) a non-motorized boat, within 15 metres of Gull Island , Great Island and Pee Pee Island from April 1 to September 1;
(c) a motorized boat within 100 metres of Green Island from April 1 to September 1; and
(d) a non-motorized boat within 50 metres of Green Island from April 1 to September 1.
Within the Witless Bay Islands Ecological Reserve, a tour boat having a permit is exempt from these seasonal boat operation restrictions.
19. A person shall not operate an aircraft over the Witless Bay Islands Ecological Reserve at an altitude less than 300 metres from April 1 to September 1.
20. An aircraft shall not take off or land in the Witless Bay Islands Ecological Reserve from April 1 to September 1.

Allowed

Within this reserve, the following activities are permitted:
1. Commercial fishing and recreational fishing in accordance with other applicable legislation is permitted within the marine waters of a reserve. A person engaged in commercial fishing and recreational fishing is exempt from restrictions on the hunting and removal of wildlife and the restrictions on operation of boats.
2. Angling in accordance with other applicable legislation is permitted.
3. Scientific research and educational use in the reserve shall require a permit and those permits may be obtained from the managing agency on submission of a written request outlining the research project, and subject, or activity to the terms and conditions that the managing agency may determine.