Overview
The Bliss Island Nature Preserve consists of 42.05 hectares (103.9 acres) of island habitat containing tidal flats, rocky shores, and Provincially Significant Wetlands, located in the Passamaquoddy Bay, in Charlotte County. The preserve is part of the Whole Quoddy Region and the Head Harbour Passage, West Isles Archipelago, and the Passages Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas.
The Whole Quoddy Region has been identified as a biological hotspot and has been proposed as a Marine Protected Area due to the feeding aggregations of marine animals, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).
The preserve is home to an important Species at Risk in New Brunswick that the Nature Trust is honoured to protect.
History
The Nature Trust protected the Bliss Island Nature Preserve in March 2020.
For generations, the island had been used for lobster fishing, halibut, haddock, and cod fishing, as well as clam digging. In addition to this, the Bliss Island Nature Preserve served as a place for celebrations, weddings, holidays, and family reunions.
The Bliss Island Nature Preserve is located within traditional Wabanaki territory.
Ecology
The Bliss Island Nature Preserve contains key ecological features including tidal flats, rocky shores, and two Provincially Significant Wetlands. The island is part of a group of islands that carry very high ecological significance due to the hard bottom and high diversity of sessile marine invertebrates. The Whole Quoddy Region has been identified as one of the top priority areas for protection in the Gulf of Maine. These coastal wetlands are associated with rocky shores and are of high conservation value based on the Habitat Conservation Strategy for the Outer Bay of Fundy Bioregion. There is a freshwater bog near the centre of the island which features an abundance of softwood vegetation.
The Bliss Island Nature Preserve is located just outside the Quoddy Region Important Bird Area, which was designated Globally Significant based on the following criteria: Congregatory Species, Colonial Waterbird/Seabird Concentrations, and Shorebird Concentrations.
Access and Activities
The Bliss Island Nature Preserve is only accessible by boat.
Please contact Nature Trust office at (506) 457-2398 or steward@ntnb.org for more information about visitation.