Tatamagouche Application Turned Down

A proposal for an aquaculture site in Tatamagouche Bay has been turned down, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell announced today.

After considering many factors, including input from the local regional aquaculture development advisory committee, or RADAC, the community and department staff, Mr. Colwell said the mussel farm application by the Dockendorfs will not go ahead.

"The community has shown a lot of concern about this site," he said at a news conference in Tatamagouche. "We're respecting their wishes."

The minister said the decision follows a promise he made in Tatamagouche last summer. At that time, Mr. Colwell said if the community didn't want an aquaculture site of the proposed size, then it would not proceed.

As for other applications for suspended aquaculture sites in Tatamagouche Bay, Mr. Colwell said: "I'm also announcing today that those applications will not be accepted."

It was also announced that the province will welcome the Dockendorf family to Nova Scotia at another location. The company, after having met with the community, will be taking over an existing site in St. Anns, Cape Breton.

Mr. Colwell thanked all involved in the careful review of the application. He said input from the Department of Agriculture and Marketing, as a partner in aquaculture licensing, and Minister Ed Lorraine on behalf of the community and the RADAC was appreciated.

Mr. Colwell said that, as in this case, decisions on locating aquaculture sites in Nova Scotia will continue to be based on the specifics of each proposed site.