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Atlantic salmon. (Photo: Fishbase)
NL releases aquaculture project in Placentia Bay from environment assessment
(CANADA, 7/28/2016)
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Environment and Conservation has released the Placentia Bay Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Project from the environmental assessment process under conditions to ensure that when development proceeds, it does so in an environmentally acceptable manner.
The environmental assessment process has numerous aspects, and requires thorough analysis and due diligence and so it has been submitted for review by Grieg NL Nurseries Ltd. and Grieg NL Seafarms Ltd.
"The decision to release the project from further review comes after significant assessment, full consideration of all comments received during consultation, and thorough discussion and analysis of critical input from the key regulatory agencies,” pointed out Minister of Environment and Conservation Perry Trimper.
The minister ensured that once the conditions of release are met, there will be continued collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as this project moves through their regulatory processes.
The Provincial Government is committed to undertaking the necessary due diligence given the nature, scope and size of the project. Through the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture's licensing process, the project will remain open to consultation and regulatory review.
"This is one step in a larger process and there are several steps that must take place before the project can proceed,” stressed Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Steve Crocker.
Work is now underway to start the aquaculture licensing process which includes a thorough review of the proposed sites and hatchery.
“The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is awaiting formal site applications for the proposed marine farm sites from the company. In addition, Grieg has provided an updated business plan which government is reviewing in detail," Crocker concluded.
The decision taken by NL's Government has been critised by the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), who deemed it as 'irresponsible and unlawful.'
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has failed to abide by its own laws in not ordering a full environmental impact statement,” said Steve Sutton, ASF’s community outreach and engagement coordinator.
“This project sets a precedent by allowing foreign strains of farmed salmon to be raised in sea cages and could have a ripple effect in Canada,” he added.
The group warned that Grieg "is planning to use Icelandic strains of Atlantic salmon in untested open net pens among a ‘threatened’ population of wild Atlantic salmon."
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Information of the company:
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Address:
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C. Sundtsgate 17/19, P.O.Box 234 Sentrum,
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City:
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Bergen
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State/ZIP:
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(N-5804)
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Country:
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Norway
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Phone:
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+47 55 57 66 00
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E-Mail:
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[email protected]
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