Evaluating Stakeholder and Rightsholder Perspectives on Conservation in the LaHave Islands - Port Medway area
An Ocean Management Contribution Program
Coastal Action is engaging with communities from LaHave Islands down to Port Medway. Our goal is to gather perspectives from stakeholders and rightsholders that live, work, and play in the area, about why this area is important to them and how they connect with the ocean! We want to better understand community values related to the marine environment and residents' thoughts and feelings towards a potential marine conservation plan for the area.
We are connecting with communities through outreach sessions, surveys, and flyer mail outs to expand our outreach to connect with as many people as possible.
We are connecting with communities through outreach sessions, surveys, and flyer mail outs to expand our outreach to connect with as many people as possible.
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Background
The LaHave Islands to Port Medway area is a vital and diverse coastal ecosystem along the South Shore. It is home to various seabirds, shorebirds, and marine life, including several species at risk. The area contains rich habitats, including eelgrass beds, kelp forests and salt marshes, which play an important role in maintaining ecosystem health. It also supports local and commercial fisheries, including lobster, bluefin tuna, groundfish, herring and mackerel, as well as the harvest of shellfish (scallops, mussels, clams etc) and seaweeds like Irish moss and Rockweed.
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eyond its ecological value, the region holds cultural, economic, and recreational importance. It continues to support local communities recreationally, attracting visitors for kayaking, boating, beachgoing, camping and other outdoor activities.
The area continues to be important for Mi’kmaq First Nations and Indigenous communities as well, by providing access to natural resources for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.
Rich in history, the LaHave Islands and Port Medway area remains a cherished place for both locals and visitors, with land conservation initiatives ensuring space for local plant and animal species to thrive. Some key protected areas include: Hirtle’s Beach Municipal Park, Risser’s Beach Provincial Park, Cherry Hill Beach Nature Reserve, Ragged Harbour Nature Reserve, Gaff Point and other sites on the Kingsburg Peninsula, as well as Indian Island, Long Cove, Middle Island, Great Island, Selig Island, Cormorant Island, and Voglers Cove.
The area continues to be important for Mi’kmaq First Nations and Indigenous communities as well, by providing access to natural resources for food, social, and ceremonial purposes.
Rich in history, the LaHave Islands and Port Medway area remains a cherished place for both locals and visitors, with land conservation initiatives ensuring space for local plant and animal species to thrive. Some key protected areas include: Hirtle’s Beach Municipal Park, Risser’s Beach Provincial Park, Cherry Hill Beach Nature Reserve, Ragged Harbour Nature Reserve, Gaff Point and other sites on the Kingsburg Peninsula, as well as Indian Island, Long Cove, Middle Island, Great Island, Selig Island, Cormorant Island, and Voglers Cove.
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Because of these unique factors, the area has been identified by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area and has the potential to have a conservation plan developed for the area. More information on the area can be found here.
Our Role
As a local community member, Coastal Action is assisting in gathering local knowledge, insight and perspective of the local area. This project will engage stakeholders, rightsholders, environmental groups, academics, and the wider community to better understand what is valued within the area and amplify community voices to inform future conservation discussions.
By gathering diverse voices, we will ensure equity and inclusion are at the heart of the process. Local input will help determine whether this area should be considered for future conservation planning. This project aims to ensure that any conservation efforts reflect the community’s values, priorities, and needs.
By gathering diverse voices, we will ensure equity and inclusion are at the heart of the process. Local input will help determine whether this area should be considered for future conservation planning. This project aims to ensure that any conservation efforts reflect the community’s values, priorities, and needs.
LaHave Island Network Site
What We Heard Report
What We Heard Report
Visual Summary Report
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Full Summary Version
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Executive Summary
This project was undertaken to compile ecological information, stakeholder knowledge, and community perspectives relevant to future conservation planning for the LaHave Islands-Port Medway Area, a proposed Tier 1 network site. A combination of qualitative research methods, including questionnaires, interviews, and desktop analysis, was used to support three primary objectives: identifying available literature and data, engaging stakeholders, and developing spatial representations of research activity within the network site.
A scoping review of academic, grey, and community-sourced literature was conducted to document existing biological, ecological, and social research. Additional information was gathered through outreach to researchers, organizations, and community members, including various engagement sessions. These efforts gathered available information and improved the understanding of the study area.
Stakeholder engagement activities included a broadly distributed survey and targeted sessions with specific groups, such as Indigenous community members, fish harvesters, and other locals. Surveys were delivered in both physical and digital formats to support accessibility, while targeted engagement was conducted through interviews, workshops, and open house events. These approaches provided opportunities to document perspectives, local knowledge, and areas of interest associated with the network site.
Collected data were organized and examined using a thematic analysis approach to identify recurring patterns in language, topics, and perspectives across data sources. Survey responses were compiled and processed using statistical tools to support descriptive analysis, while qualitative inputs from engagement activities were reviewed to document common themes.
In parallel, spatial mapping was conducted to document the distribution of research activities and associated stakeholders across the network site. Information gathered through literature review and outreach was integrated into visual representations, illustrating the spatial extent and focus of research efforts within the area.
Together, this work brings together key information and input to help guide conservation.
A scoping review of academic, grey, and community-sourced literature was conducted to document existing biological, ecological, and social research. Additional information was gathered through outreach to researchers, organizations, and community members, including various engagement sessions. These efforts gathered available information and improved the understanding of the study area.
Stakeholder engagement activities included a broadly distributed survey and targeted sessions with specific groups, such as Indigenous community members, fish harvesters, and other locals. Surveys were delivered in both physical and digital formats to support accessibility, while targeted engagement was conducted through interviews, workshops, and open house events. These approaches provided opportunities to document perspectives, local knowledge, and areas of interest associated with the network site.
Collected data were organized and examined using a thematic analysis approach to identify recurring patterns in language, topics, and perspectives across data sources. Survey responses were compiled and processed using statistical tools to support descriptive analysis, while qualitative inputs from engagement activities were reviewed to document common themes.
In parallel, spatial mapping was conducted to document the distribution of research activities and associated stakeholders across the network site. Information gathered through literature review and outreach was integrated into visual representations, illustrating the spatial extent and focus of research efforts within the area.
Together, this work brings together key information and input to help guide conservation.
Thanks to all participants who contributed to the survey, supported our events and provided perspectives and feedback throughout the process.