MEMBERS
Salmonid Council of NL (SCNL), Don Hutchens Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), Don Ivany Salmonid Association of Eastern NL (SAEN), Dr. Christoph Konrad Salmon Preservation Ass Waters NL (SPAWN) John McCarthy Freshwater/Alexander Bay Ecosystem Corp (FABEC), John Baird NL Outfitters Association (NLOA), Cory Foster Indian Bay Ecosystem Corp (IBEC), Stella Gale Gander River Ecosystem Corp (GREC), Mike Philpott Gander Bay Indian Band Council, Mike Francis Glenwood Mi’Kmaq First Nation, Calvin Francis Qalipu First Nation, Brendan Mitchell Miawpukek First Nation, Misel Joe NL Federation of Hunters and Anglers, Barry Fordham The Port Au Port Bay Fishery Association, Bob Diamond Sierra Club of Canada, Fred Winsor Western Newfoundland Environmental Centre, Simon Jansen Ragged Harbour Stewardship Committee, John Kelly NL Wildlife Federation, Andrew Bouzan Salmon and Trout Restoration Assoc of Conception Bay Central, Arch Pitcher Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides NL, Greg Malone CLEAN NL, Linda Whalen Salmon and Trout Restoration Ass of CB Central Inc Arch Pitcher Science and Academic Advisers Dr. Alex Morton Dr. Bill Montevecchi Dr. Rex Porter Rick Maddigan Mervin Wiseman Dr. Bob Scott Bill Bryden Sister Mary Tee Numerous Individuals |
Goal 1: Ensure that any further net pen aquaculture development, including expansion of existing operations, is done in a way that is consistent with the aims, intent, and wording of the provincial Environmental Protection Act.
Objectives: 1. Ensure that the Placentia Bay project proposed by Grieg NL is subject to a transparent, comprehensive, and participatory Environmental Impact Statement. 2. Ensure that all salmonid aquaculture undertakings are registered for Environmental Assessment and that decisions are consistent with the aims, intent, and wording of the Environment Protection Act and other relevant Acts. 3. Ensure that concerned individuals, groups, and communities have the knowledge and capacity to participate effectively in environmental assessment process for proposed salmonid aquaculture activities. |
Goal 2: Reduce the environmental impacts of current open net pen operations through better regulations, policies, and independent oversight and monitoring.
Objectives: 1. Independent, thorough, consultative, and evidence-based review of the environmental impacts and regulatory framework of the NL finfish aquaculture industry (similar to the Doelle-Lahey review recently conducted in Nova Scotia). The review should aim to develop a comprehensive list of recommendations designed to strengthen policies and regulations that govern the industry. 2. Review to include industry wastes including mortalities, effluent from silage or fish meal plants, waste management facilities, etc). 3. Use independent review findings and recommendations to modernize and strengthen the net pen regulatory regime such that it meets or exceeds internationally accepted standards (such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certification). 4. Immediate establishment of Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee to provide input on all issues related to aquaculture. 5. Develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring and reporting program to document the impact of aquaculture operations on wild salmon stocks and surrounding environment in NL, and disseminate information to the public in a transparent and timely manner. Develop and implement a plan to address known impacts in a timely manner. 6. Ensure that relevant legislation such as the Marine Mammals Act and the Species At Risk Act apply to all open net pen aquaculture operations. |
Goal 3: Explore more sustainable alternatives for future development of the salmonid aquaculture industry in NL.
Objectives: 1. Conduct an economic feasibility assessment of land based and closed containment aquaculture operations for NL with the aim of developing and implementing a land-based pilot project (as per provincial pre-election SCNL survey response by Liberal Leader, Dwight Ball; and as supported by the Report of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans - Wild Atlantic Salmon in Eastern Canada – 2017 - Recommendation #16). 2. Develop and implement reasonable time lines for the industry to transition from open net pen operations to closed containment operations (on land or other), and offer incentives for industry to do so. |
Goal 4: Ensure the aquaculture industry fully pays the environmental costs of their activities, and the Province maximizes income through industry taxation and licence fees.
Objectives: 1. The province implement marine water lease fees on scale with marine lease fees currently in place in other jurisdictions such as Norway. 2. All companies, new and existing, are required to post bonds to be used for clean-up and remediation. 3. Freeze on government compensation for loss of fish that must be destroyed because of pathogens, or death from natural causes (such as super chill, etc). 4. Implement stiff fines and penalties for all violators of regulations, including possibility of loss of operating privileges for serious violations or repeat offenders. 5. The province not enter into a conflict of interest by acting as regulator while holding significant investment and/or ownership in aquaculture projects at the same time. |