Baillarge Bay (NU067)
Admiralty Inlet, Baffin Island, Nunavut
Description du site
Baillarge Bay is a narrow bay along the northeastern coast of Admiralty Inlet (located along the northern coast of Baffin Island). It is 40 km north of the community of Arctic Bay, and about 30 km north of Nanisivik. The site is characterized by steep cliffs that rise as much as 610 metres from the sea and extend along a 15km-long stretch of coastline between Baillarge Bay and Elwin Inlet to the northeast. The cliffs, which are of Ordovician origin, are comprised of a mixture of sandstone, limestone and dolomite rock. Grassy-turf persists on some of the larger ledges.
During the summer, Polar Bears frequent the deeper bays near this site where ice persists well into the summer. Narwals use the deep fiords of Admiralty Inlet during the summer as well as other marine mammals such as White Whales, Ringed Seals and Harp Seals.
Oiseaux
One of the largest Northern Fulmar colonies in Canada is located on these huge cliffs. Discovered in 1922, this was one of the earliest known fulmar colonies from this region. When surveyed in 1981, an estimate of 30,000 pairs of nesting fulmar was made. Others researchers visiting the colony believe that the number of breeding fulmars may be much higher than this. The first estimate represents about 3% of the estimated North American population.
The densest concentration of fulmar nests is found along the southern half of the cliffs between Baillarge Bay and Elwin Inlet. The birds are present at the colony from late April to early October. The fulmar breeding period of almost six months is long relative to some northern breeding birds. The incubation period is a month and a half long and then another two months are required before the young can fly.
Enjeux de conservation
A lead and zinc mine has been operating since 1976 at Nanisivik. Despite worries over discharge from the mine, the settling tanks, which were located well away from the shore, have prevented serious pollution. The mine is expected to close within the next five years.
Lancaster Sound and the Barrow Strait have the potential to become major shipping route. If this were to occur, or if oil exploration took place, there could be the threat of oil spills along with other pollution.
The Baillarge Bay fulmar colony was identified in the early 1970s as an International Biological Programme Site (Region 9, #7-7), but to date it has no protected area status. It has also been identified as a Key Migratory Bird Terrestrial Habitat site by the Canadian Wildlife Service.
Catégories ZICO Habitats Usages Menaces Potencielles ou Existantes Status de Protection
