Continued Moratorium on Georges Bank

The government of Nova Scotia has accepted a review panel's recommendation to continue the moratorium on exploring for oil and gas on Georges Bank, Premier Russell MacLellan said today.

"Nova Scotia accepts the principle of environmental protection outlined in the panel report," said the premier. "We now want to take some time to go over the details of the report and issue a joint decision with the federal government."

The two governments set up the review panel in 1996 to examine the future of the moratorium on petroleum exploration in the fishing grounds off the southwest coast of Nova Scotia. In a report submitted to the federal and provincial governments July 1, the panel recommended that the moratorium, established in 1988, continue past the original deadline of Jan. 1, 2000.

Premier MacLellan said the report raises questions that both governments must consider, including the undefined time limit of the moratorium, a future public review process, and suggestions that the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans designate part of Georges Bank a marine protected area.

"These are important questions, not only for the fishing industry of Georges Bank, but for all Nova Scotians," said the premier. "We need to work out this type of detail with the federal government."

The mandate of the Georges Bank review panel was to conduct a public review of the environmental and socioeconomic impact of petroleum exploration on the Bank. Panel members were chair John Mullally, Susan Holtz and Ron Loucks.

Copies of the report will be available at the Nova Scotia Government Bookstore, 1700 Granville St., Halifax, 902-424-7580 or 1-800-526-6575, and at Access Nova Scotia offices in Yarmouth and Bridgewater.