More investments in Newfoundland aquaculture
In a move that could be interpreted as a commitment to the future growth of its investments in salmon farming in the province, Cooke has purchased a large parcel of land in Hermitage on the south coast of Newfoundland. It is not surprising that the company is funneling resources into this region, as opportunities for further growth of its business is limited in its home province of New Brunswick. There have also not been any problems experienced with the Infectious Salmon Anemia virus on farms in Newfoundland.
And local politicians are happy with the latest investment by Cooke, as Coaster Correspondent Wesley Harris explains;
A huge tract of land formerly owned by the Nickerson Group in Hermitage has been sold to Cooke Aquaculture. The land on the eastern side of Hermitage has been unused since the Nickersons bought it in the 1970s with the intention of opening a fish and canning plant. These plans never came to fruition, of course, and now Nell Halse, the Communications Director for Cooke Aquaculture in New Brunswick has confirmed the sale. “Yes, we have purchased this land in Hermitage,” she said. “It gives us a footprint in Hermitage for future considerations. We don’t have any definite plans, but it could eventually support our saltwater farming operations such as feed storage, marine maintenance or plastic welding.”
Mayor Douglas Rose of Hermitage-Sandyville knew for some while that the land was about to be sold, but he had no idea what the land would be used for. “It’s good to know that one of the major employers in the area has purchased this land, and with the aquaculture industry expanding, I’m hoping that we will see something happening in Hermitage that will mean more industry for the town, more jobs for a number of people.”
The parcel of land has been zoned by the Town Council of Hermitage and Sandyville as “Town”, meaning that the council has discretion as to whether the land is used for residential or commercial purposes.
