Should barriers be erected at Peggys Cove?

PEGGYS COVE, NS – It doesn’t happen often, but every time someone is swept into the ocean at Peggys Cove, the question comes up; should there be some sort of barrier to keep people from going onto the black rocks where waves crash the shoreline? There is no question the iconic tourist sight is beautiful, but it is also tremendously dangerous.

Thousands of tourists descend on Peggys Cove every year. There are signs warning people of the danger of walking on black rocks closest to the water, but after yesterday’s tragedy, many are wondering if more needs to be done to keep people safe.

“I guess you’re made aware on the drive in as the hazards that you can face along here,” said Lorna Barry, visiting the community today from Ireland. “As soon as you come into the interior of (the community), it dies down quite a bit, and it could definitely be increased, definitely closer to the rocks and coastline.”

Claire Lewis, also of Ireland, said a cliff in her homeland is fenced to keep people from getting too close, but it also has a negative effect. “It ruins the landscape,” said Lewis, “takes a bit from it, so like maybe a bit more signage when you come into the car park and a bit more round the rocks maybe.”

The operators of the Peggy’s Cove Bed-and-Breakfast doubt a barrier would work. “I think you would find that people would be climbing over the fence and the fence would ruin the natural beauty of Peggy’s Cove which is what it’s all about,” said Judy Cotterell.

Mark Quibell, the Manager at the Sou’wester Gift Shop said, “people always want to get a little closer – they’re looking for that big photo op or whatever the case may be and I don’t think putting up fences and barricades would work. I mean people can climb a fence, people can go under ropes and what’s that going to do to the beauty of the coastline as well.”

The minister responsible for tourism in the province said the situation will have to be revisited. “The discussion around fencing has taken place in the past,” said Nova Scotia Minister of Business, Mark Furey. “That would be very challenging. I think the site as we know it we want to maintain as accessible as possible.”