Licence renewed for Cooke’s Nova Scotia salmon subsidiary

The salmon farm is located near Saddle Island offshore from Bayswater Beach and has been producing Atlantic salmon for around 30 years.

 

Cooke said a public comment period and an extensive performance review based on the technical and biological assessment of the salmon farm was conducted by the department on the operation pursuant to the Aquaculture Licence and Lease Regulations.

 

The company added: “In its decision, the department concluded that concerns and claims made by special interest groups and individuals about impacts to the ocean environment, wild salmon, lobster populations, Bayswater Beach and local tourism industry were unproven and were subjective and speculative in nature.”

 

The department reviewed scientific reports and analysed data and concluded that there was no evidence that the salmon farm has had a detrimental effect on the lobster population and fishery.

 

It also concluded that an odorous, black sediments at Bayswater Beach Provincial Park are not from the salmon farm, but are rather consistent with the underlying geology of the area and naturally decaying organic matter not from the salmon farm.

 

The production history of the site has demonstrated that the area remains suitable for the cultivation of finfish, the report said.

 

 Kelly Cove said it had complied with the government’s Environmental Monitoring Programme. The company also maintains the social and economic benefits that Kelly Cove and the salmon farm offer to the community, charitable groups and provincial economic development were positive and supported local jobs and businesses.

 

“In the future we welcome the opportunity to participate in a Community Liaison Committee as established by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture,” said Joel Richardson, Vice President of Public Relations for Kelly Cove.

 

 “There is much for people to learn about the animal protein farming sector with the lowest carbon footprint and lowest greenhouse gas emissions – finfish aquaculture.”