| IBA |
Rocher Le Corps Mort
Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec |
| Site Summary |
| QC017 |
Latitude
Longitude |
47.267° N
62.200° W |
Elevation
Size |
0 - 50 m
3.10 km² |
Habitats:
coastal cliffs/rocky shores (marine)
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Land Use:
Not Utilized (Natural Area)
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Potential or ongoing Threats:
Erosion, Oil slicks
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| IBA Criteria: Globally Significant: Congregatory Species |
| Conservation status: |
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Site Description
Rocher le Corps Mort is a rocky island located 15 km off the southwest coast of Havre Aubert Island, in the Magdalen Islands archipelago. The island can be observed from a boat, but landing is difficult. The western end of this elongated island is composed of irregularly shaped volcanic rocks, whereas the central portion is composed of layers of mixed sedimentary rock. Due to the harsh climate, very little vegetation grows on the island. But despite this somewhat forbidding terrain, the island supports several species of nesting seabirds, most notably a large colony of Great Cormorants.
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Birds
The Great Cormorant colony contained 116 birds in 1990, which represents about 1% of the estimated North American population. This, and previous accounts of the size of the colony on Rocher le Corps Mort, contribute to the identification of this site as an IBA under the congregatory species category. During the 1990 surveys, small colonies of both Herring Gulls (46 birds) and Great Black-backed Gulls (54 birds) also nest on this island. The Black Guillemot, also known to local fishermen as the “sea pigeon”, is also present at this site with 20 birds being observed during the 1990 survey.
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IBA Criteria |
| Species↓ T | A | I |
Links |
Date |
Season |
Number |
G |
C |
N |
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Note: species shown in bold indicate that the maximum number exceeds at least one of the IBA thresholds (sub-regional, regional or global). The site may still not qualify for that level of IBA if the maximum number reflects an exceptional or historical occurrence.
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Conservation Issues
Since the island is difficult to reach and rarely visited, the seabirds that nest there are not at a great risk from human disturbance. A greater potential threat is the risk of contamination from oil spills and oil exploration. Due to the frequency of ship traffic through the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the islands are particularly vulnerable to oil pollution. Although little can be done, the erosive effects of strong winds and tides are reducing the size of the island and the amount of available seabird nesting habitat.
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Fish Habitat
The area is a paradise for many marine animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates. The deep-water of Gulf harbor a variety of crustaceans, mollusks and benthic fish, including the yellowtail flounder, the winter flounder and the Atlantic halibut, a species highly prized by commercial fishermen. The American lobster is a important economic resource in the region. Many species also inhabit the offshore waters. For example, the mackerel is important for both the fishing industry and for its role in the food chain. The sandy beaches are populated by Atlantic surf clam and by soft-shell clam, two species targeted by the local population for recreational fishing. The Atlantic surf clam is also fished commercially with hand tools and hydraulic dredges. Spartina marshes and numerous brooks are found in the area and they are used as feeding and resting areas for a variety of fish, such the rainbow smelt and American eel. Brooks are also used for the reproduction of some species, such as rainbow smelt.
The main pressures on fish habitat are related to port operations, navigation, dredging and increased coastal erosion (increased suspended sediment, increased noise, riprap, etc.).
Major species present:
American eel
American lobster
Atlantic halibut
Atlantic herring
Atlantic mackerel
Atlantic surf clam
Rainbow smelt
Soft-shell clam
Winter flounder
Yellowtail flounder
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