Nova Scotia set for new regulations
When the Nova Scotia government appointed Dalhousie University law professors Meinhard Doelle and William Lahey in April 2013, to carry out the review, the gentlemen were to look at the regulatory regime in British Columbia, but since this province is regulated by the federal government, little consideration seems to have been given to the regulatory regime for aquaculture on Canada’s west coast.
According to a government statement issued today:
Professors Meinhard Doelle and William Lahey, of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, were appointed to conduct the review in April 2013. The release of the panel's report is the final step in the regulatory review of the aquaculture sector in Nova Scotia. "We very much appreciate the thoughtful and constructive input we received on our draft report at the public hearings and in the written submissions," said Mr. Doelle. "The feedback has enabled us to strengthen the final report in important ways."
As part of its public consultation, the panel held 42 community meetings, and more than 20 targeted meetings with interested organizations and individuals. The panel also conducted three knowledge workshops with researchers and local experts, and held four public meetings on its draft report this past summer. "In this report, we conclude that a fundamental overhaul of the regulation of aquaculture in Nova Scotia is called for," said Mr. Lahey. "It should be guided by the idea that aquaculture that integrates economic prosperity, social well-being and environmental sustainability is one that is low impact and high value."
Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell received the report and thanked the panelists for their thorough public consultation. "This is a very comprehensive review done for government and I want to thank Mr. Doelle and Mr. Lahey for their work," said Mr. Colwell. "Government will now take this into consideration. "This review provides valuable information to help develop that regulatory framework for the aquaculture industry."
The office of Minister Colwell also provided the following backgrounder:
Aquaculture has been a part of our coastal industries for more than thirty years. Nova Scotia's aquaculture industry is diverse and includes both marine- and land-based operations. The aquaculture industry has outgrown the existing legislation and regulations. Within the Aquaculture Strategy, the Government of Nova Scotia committed to developing and implementing a regulatory framework for the aquaculture industry that will be state-of-the-art. It will encompass the three themes of sustainable development- environmental protection, social well-being and economic opportunity.
The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has established an independent two-person Panel, consisting of Professors Meinhard Doelle and William Lahey of Dalhousie University, to develop a regulatory framework for aquaculture in Nova Scotia. The Panel will lead the development of this framework through a process that is independent, transparent, consultative, collaborative, analytically rigorous and evidence-based. The outcome of this initiative will be a regulatory framework that meet the highest standards of effectiveness while balancing the interests of industry, other marine users, local communities, and environmental protection.
