A new land reserve is being established in the area of Ragged Beach to protect bird populations from the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve from the impact of future development.

Ragged Beach was the focus of a prolonged and heated dispute between conservationists and the local town council over land development. The provincial government vowed two years ago that it would not intervene in the dispute.

Ragged Beach is located just 2 km from the islands that make up the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve.

The province says Crown land in the area will be restricted as a result of the area’s proximity to seabird nesting colonies. The department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture says that decision will help to reduce light pollution and protect Atlantic puffin and storm petrel populations.