The Atlantic Salmon Federation was recently successful in challenging a decision by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador that released the proposed Placentia Bay aquaculture project from environmental assessment.
Supreme Court Judge Gillian Butler released a written decision, finding then-Environment Minister Perry Trimper’s July 2016 decision, to allow the project to proceed without a comprehensive review, was unreasonable. She concluded “that the minister lacked jurisdiction to release the project.”
The proposed Placentia Bay development would be the largest salmon aquaculture project in Canadian history. In a press release, the ASF said because of significant public concern and the likelihood of serious damage to wild Atlantic salmon and other native species and the environment, Judge Butler found this project “represented an example of an undertaking requiring the highest level of further environmental assessment.”
As a result, the court quashed the minister’s original decision and has ordered the company to complete an environmental impact statement.
“This will be the first environmental assessment of salmon aquaculture in Newfoundland and perhaps only the second ever in Atlantic Canada,” said ASF president Bill Taylor.
“Despite the fact this industry has caused permanent damage to Newfoundland’s environment, it has always enjoyed special treatment.”
Grieg NL Nurseries and Grieg NL Seafarms, subsidiaries of Norway’s Grieg Seafood, have proposed to raise seven million European-strain Atlantic salmon annually and place them in open net-pens in Placentia Bay. The area has no existing aquaculture, is recognized as an Ecologically and Biologically Sensitive Area by the Canadian government and has at least 19 wild Atlantic salmon rivers, the ASF stated.
“Grieg has claimed their cages would be escape proof and that all their fish would be sterile. We know this is not true. Now the company will have to prove what they say, gather baseline data in Placentia Bay and demonstrate this project would not cause unacceptable and irreversible damage,” Bill Taylor added.
The court decision has worried many residents of the Burin Peninsula that were looking forward to the jobs and economic boost the project would bring in the area.
More than 250 people filled St. Gabriel’s Hall in Marystown recently to show their support for the proposed Grieg NL project.
The company is proposing development of a $250-million project for a land-based recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) hatchery for Atlantic salmon in Marystown and 11 marine-based farms in Placentia Bay.
Grieg NL principal owner Per Grieg was on hand for the meeting and said the company is committed to the long-term development of the Placentia Bay project, but cautioned there are still some unanswered questions, including the question of government appealing the supreme court ruling.
