A New Brunswick tourist town hopes environmentalists and boaters can compromise on how to deal with the ongoing issue of common terns taking up residence on a barge near the local marina.
Common terns have been migrating to the Shediac area for nearly a decade and boaters in the coastal community have placed a net over the barge, which was approved by the Canadian Wildlife Service.
But the birds keep coming back.
Now Gerard Belliveau, the town's manager, said he is fielding calls from people who are for and against the birds' chosen nesting ground.
"You can expect if the situation doesn't get any better that some of the boats might move to other marinas other areas. So from the boaters' point of view, I have to say that yes they have reacted quite strongly," Belliveau said.
"From the town's point of view, well, this is not the type of publicity that you want because it's not necessarily all that positive, but let's expect something positive to come out of it."
Belliveau said he would like environmental groups to come forward with ideas on how to solve the problem.
Compromise sought
Tammy Laforce and her daughter came to see the terns and the controversy up close.
"I feel sorry for them. They're sliding off the net and they really look distressed cause any time anybody approaches, they take off. And they're just all worked up," Laforce said.
Laforce said she would like the town to come up with a solution that would suit everyone.
She added it would be a great learning experience for the public to be able to come out and enjoy the common terns.
