As Mahone Bay prepares to make a decision on the proposed Cermaq Canada fish farm project, residents in St. Margaret’s Bay are worried about the outcome in their area.
Cermaq Canada is looking at opening fish farm operations in both Mahone Bay and St. Margaret’s Bay, and has garnered a mix of support and opposition in both area.
Stephen Parkinson, who lives in the Aspotogan area, said the area is prone to storm surges which could cause many issues for the farm and surrounding areas.
“Its a very dangerous thing they are getting into here,” he said.
“We have severe storm surges, and all the toxins and garbage they put in will make the beaches along the Aspotogan shores unusable, which includes Queensland.”
Parkinson says a neighbor reached out to MLA Hugh MacKay to voice their opposition to the project in hopes of garnering some support.
However in a reply, a representative of MacKay said the MLA supported Cermaq’s proposed operations, saying “Nova Scotia has introduced the most thorough aquaculture application and operational regulations of any province in Canada, and, if these are followed, He is fully supportive of the operations of companies such as Cermaq.”
Aside from the potential damages to the area’s nature and beauty, Parkinson also said he is worried about what the farms would do to property values.
“I mean there are million dollar homes here, and they will end up with these ugly fish farms in front of them,” he said.
“Like I said, we have our own little beach here, and it will become absolutely useless with all the chemicals and stuff they put in.”
While a decision for the project in St Margaret’s Bay has not yet been made, Mahone Bay town staff will make a recommendation to council on whether to support or oppose the project at their council meeting tonight.
