Could more open net-pen salmon farms be coming to St. Mary’s Bay?
The province has an application from a Norwegian company for four lease sites to increase finfish production by three million.
Healthy Bays Network, a group opposed to the project will host two ‘town hall’ sessions on Thursday at the Meteghan Fire Hall.
Renée Fougère is the campaign coordinator, and calls it a labour issue.
“Some of the pens where they are located are right above rich scallop seabeds, and the deposition from the pens could have an impact on organisms like scallops and lobster,” said Fougere.
The sessions will feature information on how to make your voice heard, with a detailed roadmap of how to participate in the province’s aquaculture review process.
Fougere says pesticides haven’t been used recently, but there’s always a risk with more density and warmer waters.
“My main concern is if there is a need to treat the finfish with pesticides, what would that mean for lobster and other species in the bay? We can’t risk our industry jobs to make multi-billion dollar companies richer,” added Fougere.
DFO has released a science report on the proposal.
The province’s aquaculture department is expected to start the public consultation period soon.
The town hall sessions run from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
