Original Letter (see reply below)
From: John Sollows, Executive Director,
Tusket River Environmental Protection Association,
P.O. Box 103,
Tusket, N. S.,
B0W 3M0.
Date: June 29,2011
File no: 11-041
Dear Mr. Belliveau:
We are disappointed with your decision to approve expansion of the Cooke salmon cage culture projects in Digby and Shelburne Counties.
Salmon cage culture carries various environmental risks. We wish to emphasize in particular those associated with a sudden multifold expansion of an existing operation. Economies of scale may make such rapid expansions attractive, but the economic benefits can be wiped out by the environmental consequences of doing this. The caged stock can be more vulnerable to disease outbreaks, and can necessitate increased application of prophylactic and therapeutic drugs. Wastes from an expanded operation will inevitably pollute more severely than a smaller operation and endanger spawn of numerous species. What effect might these hazards have, for instance, on existing fisheries?
It seems that the government did not carry out sufficient public consultation before making these decisions, particularly in the Digby county situation. The aquaculture operations will certainly bring in jobs, but how many existing jobs, particularly those which depend on local resources, will be compromised?
We are very concerned that the short-term gains from this decision will be outweighed by longer-term pain.
To: Stirling Belliveau, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Cc: Minister of the Environment; Premier
Reply
From: Hon. Sterling W (DFA) Belliveau
Sent: July-14-11 1:29 PM
To: John and Nhung
Subject: Our Reference F58
Dear Mr. Sollows:
Thank you for your e-mail of June 29, 2011 concerning the recent approval of aquaculture sites in Shelburne and Digby Counties.
I want to assure you that my staff and I are aware of the concerns you presented. The aquaculture sites in both St. Mary’s Bay and Shelburne Harbour underwent a very lengthy and detailed review which included many provincial and federal agencies. I have examined the results and have full confidence that these sites were properly assessed.
Aquaculture, when conducted in an environmentally responsible manner, is able to meet the need for sustainably produced seafood while promoting economic development in coastal communities.
Again, thank you for taking time to write on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Original Signed By:
Sterling W.W. Belliveau
Minister
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture