Species composition and habitat preferences of the nearshore fish fauna of Bonne Bay, Newfoundland

A decade-long survey of Bonne Bay, Newfoundland, reveals a diverse nearshore fish fauna comprising 29 species from 17 families, including a rare late-maturing winter skate. The study found that fish assemblage similarity was influenced by salinity, substrate composition, and the presence of eelgrass, rather than geographic distance. This baseline data highlights Bonne Bay's potential as a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA), given its adjacency to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, diverse fish fauna with several species of conservation concern, and local stewardship. The findings provide critical information for assessing Bonne Bay's suitability for marine conservation status.

Le Bris, A., & Wroblewski, J. S. (2018). Species composition and habitat preferences of the nearshore fish fauna of Bonne Bay, Newfoundland. Marine Biodiversity Records, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41200-018-0145-2