Aquatic Conservation Initiative Newfoundland and Labrador (ACINL) is a community advocacy group concerned with the health of our watersheds and coastal areas. Formed in 1992 with the support of Environment Canada under the Atlantic Coastal Action Program, NAACAP has a long history of environmental research, advocacy, and action on issues affecting the quality of our natural resources with a particular emphasis on the watersheds and coastal areas of the Northeast Avalon Region.
Aquatic Conservation Initiative Newfoundland and Labrador is a community advocacy group concerned with the health of our watersheds and coastal areas. Formed in 1992 with the support of Environment Canada under the Atlantic Coastal Action Program, NAACAP has a long history of environmental research, advocacy, and action on issues affecting the quality of our natural resources with a particular emphasis on the watersheds and coastal areas of the Northeast Avalon Region.
Coastal and Marine
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) – Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Since 2022, NAACAP has been involved in the removal of the invasive European Green Crab species from coastal waters in St. Mary’s Region in Newfoundland, with the main goals to remove and study species distribution and population of green crabs. This work includes the setting and bating of traps at low tide and removing green crab from the ecosystem. We also manage and count bycatch of native species such as cunners, sculpin, rock crab etc. In this project, we have run community outreach events to bring out undergraduate students from the biology program at Memorial University and junior high students from the local school ST. Catherines Academy.
Coastal Environmental Baseline Project Habitat– SEM Ltd. & DFO & Mi’kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA)
This project will enable the collection of coastal environmental baseline data to assist the characterization of the current ecosystem condition of the Bay D’Espoir Estuary. In this project, NAACAP will investigate coastal biogeochemical baseline assessments through water quality assessments and investigate American Eel migration and habitat use. American Eel are considered a threatened species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Furthermore, American Eel are a keystone species in the Bay D’Espoir Estuary as a high-level predator, scavenger, and nutrient transporter between freshwater and marine ecosystems. American Eel have a longstanding cultural significance for the Indigenous peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador. To further understand American Eel migrations and habitat use, NAACAP will track eel populations using hydroacoustic tagging, Visual Implant Elastomer (VIE) tagging, eDNA analysis, and study species identification through fin clippings to confirm or deny presence of European eel populations in the Bay D’Espoir Estuary. .
Freshwater
Aquatic Connectivity Assessment (ACA) – DFO
NAACAP has completed connectivity assessments on waterways that have potentially impacted aquatic connectivity by culverts, physical barriers, and bridges across the northeast Avalon and the Baie de Verde Peninsulas. Coastal Environmental Baseline Project (CEBP) – DFO Since 2018, NAACAP has completed Shoreline Environmental Baseline Surveys in Placentia Bay, NL.
Surveys included shoreline characterization, and water quality assessments of biogeochemistry (pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Nutrients, Dissolved inorganic Carbon, nutrients ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, urea, phosphate, silica), coliforms, chlorophylls, and hydrocarbons.
Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk (HSP) – SEM Ltd. & DFO & Fluvarium
This is a partnered project with the Fluvarium and SEM Ltd. a multidisciplinary consulting firm based in Newfoundland and Labrador. This project aims to address knowledge gaps in the North American Eel populations in Newfoundland as an aquatic species at risk, and better understand habitat use, life phase assessments, and urban populations of American eel. In 2023, we researched elver recruitment, yellow-phase resident eel population estimates, and silver eel migration in the St. John’s region along Rennies River and Quidi Vidi Lake. In 2024, our team will work on radio tagging eels, tracking eels, and completing habitat assessments in the St. John’s region of Newfoundland.
Wetlands
Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Fund (AERF) – Nature NL & DFO
This project is in the revision phase and will take place between 2024-2026. Fieldwork will take place on the Bonavista Peninsula, St. Shotts, and Swift Current. This is a partnered project with Nature NL. Nature NL will be the main authority for running community events such as Bio Blitz events that will aim to inventory flora and fauna at selected watershed sites. NAACAP will be responsible for inventorying the flora and fauna at selected sites, completing water quality monitoring assessments, aiding in the decision-making process when selecting sites for restoration, and assisting in restoration efforts through native species planting.
