The promise of Bras d’Or – National Observer

February 26th 2024

Bras d’Or Lake in central Cape Breton isn’t, in fact, a lake, it’s an estuary — by virtue of its links to the Atlantic Ocean — and an unusual estuary at that.

In places, it descends just shy of 1,000 feet, supporting arctic copepods and segmented worms left behind by glaciation. In others, it’s shallow and warm, with sub-tropical species like oysters and flatfish living on the margins. Occasionally, a slightly more distinguished guest swims through, like a sunfish or leatherback sea turtle; even its more commonly known inhabitants, like Atlantic cod, are more genetically distinct from others swimming in Maritime waters. On its shore are ecologically rich barachoisponds, separated from saltwater by sandbars, and in its watershed are people, lots of them, with vested interests in the health of the estuary.

In 2003, one of those people decided Bras d’Or could be much more than just a “lake.” Teresa MacNeil, a retired professor from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, initially wanted a portion of Bras d’Or Lake — St. Andrew’s Channel — to be designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The vision grew from there.

Read More: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2024/02/26/news/promise-bras-dor