Aquaculture Briefing for the Eastern HRM Community-driven Strategic Development Plan

Aquaculture Briefing for the Eastern HRM Community-driven Strategic Development Plan

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  In May 2013 NSDFA established a provincial aquaculture regulatory review (open-pen finfish, shellfish, land- and marine-based closed containment) lead by 2 Dalhousie law professors. Two Eastern Shore residents were appointed to advisory committees to the Panel: Bill Williams, Tangier, president, Association for the Preservation of the Eastern Shore, (APES) and Karen Traversy Clam Bay, Coastal Coalition of NS. The Aquaculture Review Panel held public meetings across the province in the summer of 2013, including Oyster Pond and Sheet Harbour.
  
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  The Panel is to report in the fall of 2014. Recommendations will likely include more rigorous monitoring for environmental impacts, longer lease tenure, new regulations for technological innovation, improved site selection criteria and a more streamlined regulatory process.
  
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  The Panel was established in part because of strong reaction in coastal communities to both existing and proposed fin-fish aquaculture operations. The recent experience on the Eastern Shore in this regard is summarized in the attached Backgrounder.
  

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  Blue mussels, Jeddore Harbour (inactive)
  
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  AquaPrime Mussels, Ship Harbour (8 licences, active)
  
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  Snow Island Salmon, Owl’s Head (inactive)
  
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  Sober Island Oysters, Sober Island (active)
  
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  Snow Island Salmon, Spry Bay (licence pending)
  

Eastern Shore Fishermen’s Protective Association, (since 1957, one of the oldest continuing fishermen’s associations in Canada); 250 members Eastern Passage to Canso, multi-licenced for lobster, crab, groundfish, herring, mackerel, swordfish, sea urchins, smelt clams, eels.

Abriel Fisheries, Tangier (since 1947): fresh, frozen, salted and dried fish

Baker’s Point Fisheries, East Jeddore: fresh, frozen fish (various species); also fishing harvesting licences Willy Krauch, Tangier ; since 1957, hot and cold smoked seafood (salmon, eel, herring , mackerel).

Brokers:

Lobster World, Oyster Pond

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  On May 29, 2012, NS Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture released “Aquaculture Strategy: Creating Sustainable Wealth in Rural and Coastal NS”. This Strategy is relevant to the astern HRM Strategic Development Plan process due to emphasis on expanding aquaculture in rural and coastal communities; also relevant due to existence of federal and provincial investment in the sector (ACOA, NSDFA, NSERC, DFO etc.).
  
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  The Strategy heralded government- supported expansion of all forms of aquaculture, but on the Eastern Shore resulted in mostly open pen, finfish aquaculture (Atlantic salmon) proposals, areas previously assessed as of only ”moderate” biophysical suitability for Atlantic salmon (compared with Southwest NS where the industry is well established). (NSDFA: Roadmap for Aquaculture Investment in Nova Scotia, 2009
  
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  In fall 2011, Snow Island Salmon and partner Scottish firm Loch Duart applied to NSDFA for 3 new open pen finfish aquaculture licences for Atlantic salmon in Shoal Bay Licence #1370, Spry Harbour #1371 and Beaver Harbour, #1372. Re-stocking occurred at existing, licenced site at Owl’s Head; also licence area was expanded.
  
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  These applications triggered environmental assessment work by DFO and other regulatory authorities under NSDFA’s aqua culture lease/licence review process.
  
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  A public meeting was held in Sheet Harbour February 6, 2012 (required by the NSDFA process); public concerns about marine pollution, impacts on migration on wild salmon populations (including the West River salmon near Sheet Harbour) , lobster bottom and biology, established fisheries, eco-and other tourism; lack of information and community consultation
  
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  Public concern coalesced in the establishment of the Association for the Preservation of the Eastern Shore and their engagement of support from other NS communities, environmental organizations opposed to finfish open-pen aquaculture and the Atlantic Coalition for the Reform of Aquaculture (ACAR) a coalition of over 50 organizations, including the Atlantic Salmon Federation and NS Salmon Association, influential angling organizations
  
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  Appeals were made to provincial, HRM and federal politicians, including Senator Tom McInnis and the Sheet Harbour and Area Chamber of Commerce, which opposed the expansion. (Senator McInnis is involved actively in the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans’ ongoing study on Closed Containment Aquaculture in Canada).
  
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  Snow Island withdrew the Beaver Harbour licence application; May 2013, the NS government turned down Shoal Bay application citing risks to migration patterns of wild Atlantic salmon. Third site, Spry Bay is subject to de facto moratorium on new licences.
  
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  Snow Island experience with salmon at its Owl’s Head site (pre-existing licence) has demonstrated problems with cold water and losses due to “super chill”.
  
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  Lesson Learned: Finfish aquaculture issue revealed elements of broader issue, a lack of adequate local community consultation on new economic development initiatives.