Recent applications for the expansion of shellfish aquaculture in the Merigomish and Little Harbours have been withdrawn in favour of a development approach that engages community members in a strategic planning process for farms in the area.
Jamie Davidson, one of the farmers that chose to withdraw his application, made his decision based on the success of the approach in other areas. According to Davidson, shellfish farming has a positive environmental impact and other communities “demonstrate that it can exist alongside other important uses of our shared coastline." Oyster farms have been operating successfully in Nova Scotia’s coastal communities for decades.
Davidson says that he and the other applicants learned at a recent public meeting in Little Harbour on August 21 that there is a real need and opportunity for local farmers to educate their neighbors and communities about shellfish farming. Oyster farmers in the area will work with the provincial aquaculture association, the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia, to plan opportunities to increase awareness and education over the coming months and support any planning initiatives proposed by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “It’s important that we do it right to ensure that we can bring jobs into our community that can’t be transferred out west like so many others”, says Davidson.
The shellfish industry contributed close to $5 million to the provincial economy in 2013. With demand for seafood growing and the increasing appeal of Nova Scotian oysters, the incremental and planned growth of the sector can make a far greater contribution over the coming years. The responsible development of the sector in the North Shore of Nova Scotia can have a sustainable impact on local economy.
The withdrawn applications include applications from Stephen MacIntosh, Powell Cove (application 1350); Jamie Davidson and Sam McKinlay, Big Cove, Merigomish Harbour (application 1362); and Sam McKinlay, Little Harbour (application 1381); Jaime Davidson, Little Harbour (application 1382) and Andrew and Bryce Thompson, Merigomish Harbour (application 1390).
