An Open Letter to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Nova Scotia

What is the vision of the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (NSDFA) for our coastal communities?

The recent charges against Cooke Aquaculture in New Brunswick, stemming from an investigation into the alleged use of illegal pesticides and resulting lobster deaths, should be serious cause for alarm. As we watch events unfolding in N.B., we can easily see what the future has in store for our province if the Minister continues the promotion of industrial open-pen aquaculture. The industry’s own practices (over-stocking, over-sized farms and farm density) have led to parasite and disease outbreaks, and the need for pesticides and antibiotics to protect “the investment.” These practices are completely contrary to sustainability.

The aquaculture industry describes the chemicals used for sea lice control as “tools.” Illegal pesticides are not “tools”—they are lethal weapons against lobster stocks and they threaten market security and our established economy built around the lobster fishing industry. The Minister has also been made aware of the pollution in Shelburne Harbour and the heavy metal contamination in Port Mouton Bay as a result of salmon farming operations—yet, the NSDFA has never taken ANY remedial action.

The real social and environmental costs of the open-pen salmon farming industry are being borne by Nova Scotia’s coastal communities. The industry describes itself as “custodians of the marine environment” while leaving our fishing communities to deal with the pollution these floating feedlots generate, and the resulting chemical contamination. When we see salmon cages floating on the ocean surface, we are only seeing the “tip of the iceberg.”

The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmer’s Association, recently drafted a letter for the mayors and municipal governments of Charlotte County, New Brunswick, to send to the Federal Minister of Fisheries. The letter states…. “without treatment options for sea lice management, farmers will have no option but to reduce stocking in 2012.....This will also mean that 750 direct jobs and up to 391.... indirect jobs will be lost.”

We support the development of fish farming technologies (such as closed-containment recirculating systems) that create sustainable long-term jobs that do not displace fishermen.
The Minister must STOP issuing open-pen salmon farm leases and protect the Nova Scotia lobster fishery.

Sindy Horncastle and Marilyn Moore for Mayday-Shelburne County Jordan Bay, N.S.
St. Mary’s Bay Coastal Alliance (SMBCA)
Eastern Shore Fisherman’s Protective Association (ESFPA)