One of two small no-take areas created around prime lobster habitat near Newfoundland's Eastport Peninsula.
Eastport – Duck Island
Why it is protected
Maintain a viable American lobster population through habitat protection and sustainable use in the wider management area.
Protect threatened and endangered species.
Habitats and significant life
Habitats: Rocky island coast, Shallow lobster habitat, Bonavista Bay.
Significant species: American lobster, Groundfish, Pelagic fish, Marine mammals.
Rules and activities
The protected area is no-take.
Disturbance, damage, destruction and removal are prohibited except as authorized.
Scientific and educational activities require an approved activity plan.
Governance
Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Eastport Peninsula Lobster Protection Committee; Local harvesters.
Pressures
Fishing pressure; Climate-driven ecosystem change.
Protection effectiveness
These dimensions are intentionally separate: a valid designation or active management program does not, by itself, prove ecological recovery.
Habitats and marine life connections
Ecologically related protected areas
These places share documented habitat types or the same ocean region. The relationship is ecological context, not proof of direct connectivity.
Condition and evidence
MLL reports what the available evidence supports. It does not infer ecological health from designation or mapped coverage.
Insufficient evidence
Official protection and management information is available, but the evidence reviewed does not support a single current ecological condition trend for this protected area.
Protection framework
Positive evidenceThe oceans act marine protected area is implemented; this describes legal status, not ecological outcome.
- Evidence period
- 2005–present
- Geographic scope
- Entire designated area
- Confidence
- high
- Reviewed
- 2026-09-12
Ecological outcome
Insufficient evidenceA comparable, current ecological trend has not yet been established in this MLL review.
- Evidence period
- Current public evidence review
- Geographic scope
- Entire protected area
- Confidence
- not-assessed
- Reviewed
- 2026-09-12
How to read this: Insufficient evidence means the available evidence cannot support a conclusion. It does not mean the MPA is in poor condition.
Sources
Eastport MPA — Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Verified 2026-09-12.