Islanders are invited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Basin Head Marine Protected Area with a new guided tour featuring hands-on conservation activities and immersive experiences that highlight the area’s natural and cultural heritage.
The tour runs Thursday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. throughout September. It begins at the Basin Head Fisheries Museum, 336 Basin Head Road, Souris, and is free with Museum admission.
“The story of Basin Head’s Marine Protected Area is unique and fascinating. It spans thousands of years and features an ecosystem unlike any other, just steps away from one of the most beautiful beaches on the Island,” said Matthew McRae, executive director, PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. “We are grateful to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for their financial support to develop this fun and engaging experience. We are thrilled to offer this tour to Islanders and visitors throughout September here at Basin Head.”
Tour participants will walk on Basin Head’s famous singing sands, sample ice cream made with carrageenan extracted from Irish moss, (like the protected moss that grows in the Basin Head lagoon), and help pull a green crab trap from the water to examine and document its contents.
The tour was developed in partnership with the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Souris and Area Wildlife, as part of a special initiative marking the Basin Head Marine Protected Area’s milestone year on September 26.
For more information about the tour or the Basin Head Fisheries Museum, call 902-357-7233 or visit PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation.
Media contact:
Mitchell Crouse
PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation
mcrouse@gov.pe.ca
Backgrounder:
About the Basin Head Marine Protected Area
- The Basin Head Marine Protected Area (MPA) is designated to protect a unique strain of Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), which is native to this area and has a higher concentration of carageenan, a thickening agent used in products like ice cream and sunscreen.
- The MPA aims to maintain the ecological integrity of the Basin Head lagoon and its surrounding ecosystem, prohibiting activities that disturb or damage marine life unless exceptions are approved.
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The area is rich in biodiversity, supporting various marine plants, invertebrates, fish, mammals, and birds, making it a significant conservation area for both local communities and conservation organizations.
About the Basin Head Fisheries Museum
- The Basin Head Fisheries Museum is one of seven museums and heritage sites operated by the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation.
- Located alongside the historic Cannery, the Museum showcases the rich history of Prince Edward Island’s fishing industry through engaging exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.
- Visitors can explore how the Island’s fisheries have shaped rural coastal communities and continue to play an important role today.