Norwegians seek Canadian expansion
It is probably a good time for anybody to apply for new salmon farming sites as the coastal waters are awash in wild salmon, and despite objections from the regular extreme segments of the environmental movement, the government's regulatory bodies claim to be “open for business”. And the Norway-based companies have done a good job in building mutually beneficial relationships with the local aboriginal communities, providing benefits and receiving support for an expanding industry in the process.
The latest new site applications were announced by Cermaq Canada last week:
Cermaq Canada is applying for two new sites in Clayoquot Sound...Cermaq Canada is holding a public open house regarding proposed Finfish Aquaculture Sites Located in Clayoquot Sound. Members of the public are cordially invited to attend at Marina West (formerly WeighWest) Resort from 4pm to 8 pm on July 24th.
Cermaq Canada representatives will be on hand to answer questions. Also in attendance will be representatives from the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, (and/or any other agency attending).
The purpose of the open house is to seek public comments on activities that may occur at or in the vicinity of the proposed finfish aquaculture facilities located at Millar Channel “Yaakswiis Facility” & Herbert Inlet “Herbert Facility”. Cermaq Canada has submitted applications to occupy Crown foreshore for the purpose of finfish aquaculture and the related works associated with that purpose.
This open house is an opportunity for the public, interest groups and agencies to provide comments on other uses or activities that occur at the proposed application site. It is also an important opportunity to share information regarding the geographical placement of the site and details of the proposed operation.
Both applications are supported by Letters of Support from the local Ahousaht First Nation, with which the company has a signed Protocol Agreement. One of the applications (Yaakswiis) consists of 349 pages, including details of over 2.5 kilometers of underwater surveys, while the second application (Herbert) contains 320 pages of paperwork - most of it environmental assessments for anything between eelgrass habitat to fish-bearing streams in the vicinity of the proposed sites.
