Nova Scotia developing Coastal Strategy
A number of planning processes are underway in coastal regions of Canada. In British Columbia for example, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have initiated such a process for a “Large Ocean Management Area” encompassing most of the central/northern coast of the province called the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area. A previous initiative dealing with terrestrial resource use in much the same area resulted in the creation of huge off-limits protected areas and a compensatory fund for economic development that excluded any support for net-pen fish farming.
Hopefully, the current process initiated in Nova Scotia on Canada’s east coast will not fall into the same trap. Information about this initiative is available from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, where the provincial government explains that a draft Coastal Strategy is available for public comment;
The Government of Nova Scotia has made coastal management a priority with the release of its State of Nova Scotia's Coast Report. This Report provides baseline information on our coastal areas and resources, which we will use to develop a Coastal Strategy. The Strategy will outline how we will take action to address the coastal issues that matter most to Nova Scotians. From May 1st to July 18th, 2010, Nova Scotians were invited to comment on the State of Nova Scotia’s Coast Report and to provide input on their priorities and ideas for the future Coastal Strategy.
The consultation process included a variety of mechanisms for gathering input from the public and stakeholders including:
- online and written submissions
- regional open houses
- municipal workshops
- a phone survey
- a multi-stakeholder workshop
- sector-based meetings
Over the course of these consultations we heard from over 1,200 people, many of whom represented coastal organizations, businesses, and communities. Nova Scotians have offered insight, ideas and opinions on the future of our coast. That input is summarized and available in the document What We Heard, which will help shape the first coastal strategy in the country. “Nova Scotians can be proud of the fact that we’re a leader in addressing coastal issues,” said Sterling Belliveau, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “We have listened to Nova Scotians and this document is a reflection of the wisdom we heard from people.”
What We Heard is a milestone to develop a coastal strategy. “We want to thank everyone who took the time and energy to contribute toward this important process to develop a coastal strategy,” said Justin Huston, coastal zone co-ordinator, Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Nova Scotians raised consistent themes during the consultation such as the importance of public access, provincewide development standards, protection of sensitive ecosystems, sewage and water quality issues, and the importance of working waterfronts.”
Because Nova Scotians requested more opportunities to provide input, additional consultation sessions are being planned for the spring. The final strategy will be ready in fall 2011. “This is a significant undertaking that is clearly important to the people of this province,” said Mr. Belliveau. “While we all want a strategy as soon as possible, we need to take the time to get it right.”
