Public Meetings Begin for Aquaculture Regulations

Public consultations to help Nova Scotia develop world-class aquaculture standards that include economic development and environmental protection begin next week.

In May, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Sterling Belliveau announced the plan to develop regulations to ensure Nova Scotia has a more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable aquaculture industry.

There are about 20 public meetings scheduled around the province over the next seven weeks. The meetings will be led by independent consultants Meinhard Doelle and Bill Lahey, both Dalhousie law professors.

"This information will be invaluable as we begin our work to develop a new regulatory framework for aquaculture," said Mr. Lahey.

"We look forward to learning about the values, interests, priorities and concerns of all interested members of the public," said Mr. Doelle.

Sessions will be 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m. at each location. The scheduled meetings are:

July 15 -- Mabou Community Centre, Hwy. 19, Mabou Old Orchard
Inn,

• 153 Greenwich Road South, Wolfville July 16 -- Cultural Centre, 17 Bay St. Lawrence Road, Cape North
• Royal Canadian Legion, 34 Duke St., Lunenburg July 17 -- Days Inn, 480 Kings Rd., Sydney
• Emera Centre, 50 Queens Place Dr., Liverpool July 18 -- Inverary Resort, Exit 9 Hwy. 105, 368 Shore Road, Baddeck
• Shelburne Fire Hall, 63 King St., Shelburne July 22 –- Royal Canadian Legion Branch 58, 23566 Hwy. 7, Sheet Harbour July 23 –- Oyster Pond Fire Hall, 51 Old Trunk Rd., Head of Jeddore July 24 –- St. James United Church, 3811 Old Sambro Rd., Sambro July 25 -- Waterfront Jost House, 106 Main St., Guysborough Village July 30 -– The Rodd Grand Hotel, 417 Main St., Yarmouth July 31 –- Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, Cornwallis Park, Cornwallis Aug. 19 -– Parrsboro Fire Hall, 252 Willow St., Parrsboro Aug. 20 –- Best Western, 150 Willow St., Truro Aug. 21 -- Tatamagouche Fire Hall, 202 Main St., Tatamagouche Aug. 26 –- Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, 606 Reeves St., Port Hawkesbury Aug. 27 –- Claymore Inn, 133 Church St., Antigonish Aug. 29 -- Museum of Industry, 147 N. Foord St., Stellarton

The date and location of the Halifax meeting will be announced in later this summer.

More information is available at www.aquaculturereview.ca.