A conservation organization is urging modifications to the Canso Causeway following the tragic death of a leatherback turtle, an area recognized by the federal Fisheries Department as problematic for the endangered species.
Kathleen Martin, who serves as the executive director of the Canadian Sea Turtle Network, highlighted that the Canso Strait intersects with the natural migratory paths of some leatherback turtles. These turtles, known as the largest worldwide and classified as endangered under the Species at Risk Act, migrate north in spring and summer to feed on jellyfish before heading south as temperatures decrease.
However, Martin pointed out that the Canso Causeway and the canal’s tidal lock disrupt this natural instinct, causing confusion for some leatherbacks upon encountering the barrier. The only available option for the turtles is to take a lengthy detour around Cape Breton Island.
According to Martin, the altered route forces the turtles to travel north instead of their intended southward direction, exposing them to colder waters that can lead to hypothermia. This unfortunate scenario befell Dina, a GPS-tracked leatherback, who succumbed to exhaustion and hypothermia in late 2024 after multiple unsuccessful attempts to cross the Strait.
The internal emails from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, released through access-to-information laws, detailed Dina’s plight as well as concerns raised by Wendy Williams, DFO’s regional director of aquatic ecosystems, regarding the non-compliance of the Canso Causeway/Canal with current Fisheries Act standards.
Despite Dina being one of several leatherback casualties in the area, the exact toll remains uncertain due to the lack of tagging on all turtles and the possibility of unreported incidents. Martin emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, underscoring the scientific significance and the necessity for corrective action.
DFO declined an interview request but noted in an email that a rescue attempt for Dina was aborted due to uncertainties about the turtle’s condition and the department’s limited experience in capturing leatherbacks at sea.
Regarding the future of the causeway and canal, the provincial government confirmed that the canal locks will transition to the Department of National Defence, with ownership of the causeway having transferred to the province in 2014. The government assured that any future expansion or reconstruction of the causeway would prioritize enhancements for fish and aquatic life in compliance with federal regulations.
Environmental law experts highlighted the need for proactive measures, with the possibility of federal intervention by the fisheries minister to address the situation. The ongoing discussions underscore the importance of balancing conservation efforts with infrastructural developments to safeguard endangered species like leatherback turtles.
