A conservation plan for the Barachois and Malbaie River Priority Natural Area

Marais sud du barachois de Malbaie (Photo by NCC)

An exceptional natural environment

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has been developing conservation strategies for targeted sectors in the Gaspé Peninsula for 15 years. To date, these efforts have enabled the protection of more than 1,195 acres (500 hectares) of habitats essential to 28 species at risk on some 25 properties.

The Barachois of Malbaie watershed is considered the largest, most diverse and most intact wetland on the Gaspé Peninsula. It is fed by fresh water from the Malbaie River — one of the last 10 privately owned salmon rivers in Quebec — and is unique in the Gaspé Peninsula for its late salmon run.

Future actions

Already the owner of some 20 properties and easement agreements in this area, NCC is now planning to acquire three new properties with the goal of protecting 22 private Atlantic salmon pools.

In December 2010, NCC acquired a conservation easement on some 310 hectares, including four kilometres of shoreline and 14 salmon pools along the river. Added to this is an option to purchase other properties and the infrastructure of a fishing camp built in the early 20th century.

A fundraising campaign is underway to help us achieve our conservation objectives in the area, thereby maintaining the quality of the surrounding ecosystems.