Research stays stable on Sable 

Halifax Chronicle Herald, April 07, 2005

New DFO management era begins with scientific and green approval

By CATHY VON KINTZEL / Truro Bureau 

TRURO - The federal government wasn't horsing around in January when it agreed to resume day-to-day management of the remote Sable Island Meteorological Station 

"It's full speed ahead," says Dave Wartman, acting director of Environment Canada's environment conservation branch.

The federal departments of Environment and Fisheries and Oceans announced in late January they would assume responsibility for the station and its four employees by April 1.

Supporters of the island, known for its famed wild horses, applauded the move.

Mr. Wartman said the decision means the Sable Island Preservation Trust, which took over management of the station in 2000, can focus its efforts on education, research and awareness instead of managing infrastructure.

He said the change is basically in management only and Ottawa is committed to employing at least three and likely four people on the island year-round, including workers who have been there for years.

"There will be continuity with the people who have been on the island as employees of the trust," Mr. Wartman said. "It won't be a bunch of brand new people going out there."

Mark Butler, marine co-ordinator for the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, called it a good move.

He's looking forward to the creation of a stakeholders advisory group, which the federal government is working on and which should hold its first meeting in late April or early May.

The group is intended to advise governments on issues affecting the island. Its terms of reference are in the works and interested parties will be invited to attend the inaugural meeting.

"We've seen that Canadians, not just Nova Scotians and people in the conservation community, care about the island," Mr. Butler said. "It really strikes a chord.

"We need to continue to let the Canadian people know about this special place and that it's being looked after."

Zoe Lucas, president of the Sable Island Green Horse Society, wrote by e-mail from the island that everything seemed to be going according to plan regarding station staff.

"They are government employees as of today," she said Friday, the first day of the management change. "It's a huge improvement for the operation, a significant step forward."

Ms. Lucas said that once the advisory group is in place, there will be more information available about the short- and long-term plans for the island.

It costs about $1 million annually to operate the meteorological station, the only permanent facility on the island, which is about 300 kilometres southeast of Halifax in the North Atlantic.

Staff study everything from the wild horses and the sensitive ecosystem to pollution, climate change, seal populations and the stranding of marine mammals. They also operate lights and beacons, collect weather data and maintain helipads and refuelling capacity for search and rescue aircraft and crews.

The Canadian Coast Guard will continue to be responsible for administering access to the island under the Canada Shipping Act, and the federal government will work with the Nova Scotia government on preservation and other projects.