Chronicle Herald newspaper cover.
Cooke Aquaculture plans to expand operations in Nova Scotia
(CANADA, 10/29/2018)
Cooke Aquaculture Inc. is planning to expand its sea farming operations in Liverpool Bay, on the south shore of Nova Scotia, as part of its commitment to invest in the Canadian Atlantic.
Nova Scotia (NS) Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has granted Kelly Cove Salmon, a subsidiary of Cooke’s, an option to lease new fish farm sites in the bay just outside Liverpool, news generating concern among local residents.
The company pointed out that during the option period it will be “exploring the option location to determine potential fit to establish an aquaculture site" and said this investigation may lead to future applications for specific sites, the Chronicle Herald reported.
From the Department it was made clear that this Option to Lease process will be reviewed for final decision by the independent Aquaculture Review Board.
Photo: Cook Aquaculture
As part of the process, a community open house is being held on October 30, representing an opportunity for the community to learn more about the aquaculture firm and on the option to explore expansion opportunities in Liverpool.
A representative from the firm explained that over the next five years it could spend over CAD 500 million (USD 381.5 million) on pan-Atlantic capital and operations projects.
“For example, we are mid-way through a CAD 20 million investment in upgrading our Northeast Nutrition fish feed manufacturing plant in Truro, sustaining upwards of 60 direct jobs, with growth potential on the horizon. We are continuing to invest in warehousing and distribution facilities, and our trucking fleet. We have also invested significantly into vessel maintenance and equipment with excellent work done locally by the A. F. Theriault & Son Ltd. boatyard in Meteghan River,” they stressed.
Currently, there is one finfish aquaculture site in Liverpool Bay, which has been operated by Cooke Aquaculture since 2011. It operates 10 sea sites in Nova Scotia, including two in Queens County, six in Shelburne County and two in Digby County.
Inka Milewiski, a Dalhousie University research associate, recalled Cooke has had problems at its current site in Liverpool Bay, including infectious salmon anemia, high sulphide levels in sediment and "superchill," which is when fish blood freezes due to extreme cold.
In this regard, Joel Richardson, Cooke's spokesperson, said there have been salmon aquaculture sites in Liverpool Bay since 2002 without adverse effects. The company, the province and federal regulators monitor the sites to make sure the sea floor is clean, he said.
A spokesperson for the provincial Fisheries Department said the province is "committed to sustainably and responsibly growing aquaculture so it can create jobs and economic opportunities while protecting the environment."
The option granted to Cooke is the first one for salmon aquaculture under a new regulatory framework that came into effect three years ago.
editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media
Information of the company:
Address:
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874 Main Street
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City:
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Blacks Harbour
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State/ZIP:
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New Brunswick (E5H 1E6)
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Country:
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Canada
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Phone:
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+1 506 456 6600
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Fax:
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+1 506 456 6652
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E-Mail:
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contact@cookeaqua.com
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More about:
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Approval / Accreditation / Certified / Oversight by...
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