Portage Island National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 7

7 Health and Safety

In the case of environmental emergencies, contact will be made with the Canadian Environment Emergencies Notification System at the following address:

Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service
17 Waterfowl Lane, P.O. Box 6227
Sackville NB E4L 1G6
Tel.: 506-364-5044
Fax: 506-364-5062

All reasonable efforts will be made to protect the health and safety of the public, including adequately informing visitors of any known or anticipated hazards or risks. In addition, Environment Canada staff will take all reasonable and necessary precautions to protect their own health and safety as well as that of their co-workers. However, visitors (including researchers and contractors) must make all reasonable efforts to inform themselves of risks and hazards and must be prepared and self-sufficient. Natural areas contain some inherent dangers, and proper precautions must be taken by visitors, recognizing that Environment Canada staff neither regularly patrol nor offer services for visitor safety in National Wildlife Areas (NWAs).

Offshore islands and activities along the seacoast in general present issues of safety. The public must seek and heed expertise to operate in these environments and must obtain specialized training and certification where required.

Portage Island NWA has no point of designated public access. Waters around the island are mainly shallow, making landing with a deep drafted vessel difficult or impossible.

As this NWA is remote with no permanent staff, any emergency should be reported immediately to the appropriate responding authorities. The report should include the date, time and nature of the incident, name and contact information of the reporting party for follow-up, and all relevant details.

Multiple authorities should be advised, if the situation warrants, as soon as possible.