L E T T E R

Salmon Debris Comes Ashore
In Nova Scotia

To The Honorable Stephen McNeil, The Premier of Nova Scotia

Dear Premier McNeil,

For the second time in two years, the Jordan Bay open pen aquaculture sites have experienced the effects of super chill. Although your government and the industry are trying to downplay the losses in the media, reliable local sources report that there is almost 100 percent fish mortality. These reports are consistent with the fact that since the beginning of February, virtually no feeding has occurred at either Jordan Bay site.

The pens and nets were encased in ice for nearly a month. The sites were so severely damaged, large holes were visible in the netting and many pens collapsed from the weight of the ice.

Our entire community is now suffering the effects of the colossal failure of industrial open pen aquaculture. As reported to the NSDFA and DNR, salmon carcasses, grease and salmon pieces are washing up on kilometres of beaches, salt marshes, and people’s property. Your government is expecting people to live with a magnitude of waste never seen before. What other farming operation would be allowed to leave carcasses piled up on public lands?

There is no information available to the public on what plans, if any, the government has in place to protect our or other fishing communities from an environmental disaster of this scale. How will future lobster stocks, shellfish, Irish moss and eel harvests be affected? Each of these local, traditional fisheries has a long history of profitability and reliable employment.

When can the bay be safely used for recreation? Who is responsible for cleaning up this mess?

If your government cannot answer these questions, why would you allow restocking of these sites or the issuing of new leases?

We ask that, to prevent another predictable disaster, the Jordan Bay aquaculture leases be immediately revoked. The only way to effectively control this industry, and reduce the risk, is to put it on land.

Sincerely,
Sindy Horncastle, 1-902-875-4771
Marilyn Moore, 1-902-875-2541
Jordan Bay, NS