This year, the Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA) celebrates 20 years of protecting one of Labrador’s most remarkable marine ecosystems. Established in 2005 through a partnership between the NunatuKavut Community Council, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and local residents, Gilbert Bay is one of Canada’s oldest MPAs and an early example of community-driven conservation in action.
The effort to protect Gilbert Bay began with local fishers and residents. They observed that the “Golden cod,” later confirmed to be a genetically distinct population of Atlantic cod found only in these waters, was unique and potentially at risk. The concern for the cod and its habitat sparked the early conversations that eventually led to the establishment of the MPA.
Gilbert Bay stands as a testament to what can be achieved when science and community come together. For two decades, local knowledge holders, researchers, and fishers have worked side by side to monitor changes, protect habitats, and keep these waters healthy for future generations of the people and the fish.
Today, the MPA continues to be guided by a collaborative advisory committee made up of representatives from government, local knowledge holders, and fishers. This partnership ensures that decisions reflect both scientific research and the lived experience of those who know the bay best.
Since its designation, the Gilbert Bay MPA has supported long-term monitoring, habitat research, and youth engagement programs that celebrate the bay’s ecological and cultural significance. The collaboration has deepened understanding of coastal ecosystems and demonstrated how community leadership and traditional knowledge can guide effective marine conservation.
As one of the country’s earliest MPAs, Gilbert Bay continues to lead by example, showing how Inuit stewardship, shared knowledge, and collective care can protect marine life and sustain coastal communities for generations to come.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary, we are excited to launch a new Story Map which tells the story of the Gilbert Bay MPA! For more information, visit: https://nunatukavut.ca/gilbert-bay-marine-protected-area-story-map/