Newfoundland and Labrador’s environment minister says a proposed marine conservation area on the south coast of the island didn’t strike the right balance between protecting the environment and protecting industry, leading the province to pull its support.

“There should have been more collaboration. There should have been more meat on the bone, I guess, to where industry could feel comfortable with this decision,” Chris Tibbs said Wednesday.

“There is a balance across this province for conservation and industry. Unfortunately, it did not work in this particular area at this time.”

A memorandum of understanding to plan for a possible National Marine Conservation Area along Newfoundland’s south coast was signed in 2023 between the federal government, the former Liberal provincial government, the Town of Burgeo, Miawpukek First Nation and Qalipu First Nation.