PICTOU
A land and sea rally in support of a healthy Northumberland Strait will take place July 6.
The rally will see citizens march through the streets of Pictou to the Pictou waterfront while hundreds of fishing boats are expected to fill the harbour waters as part of the first major #NO Pipe land and sea rally.
At issue is Northern Pulp’s proposed new effluent treatment system. Fishermen and citizens have expressed concern that the new system would pipe waste effluent through a 10-kilometre underwater pipeline from Abercrombie Point and discharge it into the Northumberland Strait, home to rich lobster, crab, scallop, herring and mackerel fisheries and spawning grounds.
Northern Pulp’s proposed new system is planned to replace the existing Boat Harbour treatment facility that will be closed and begin environmental clean-up in 2020 as part of the Nova Scotia Boat Harbour Act.
The July 6 #NOPIPE Land and Sea Rally is organized by the Northumberland Fishermen’s Association and Friends of the Northumberland Strait, and supported by Pictou Landing First Nation and organizations including the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association, Maritime Fishermen’s Union, the David Suzuki Foundation, Ecology Action Centre, the Pictou Lobster Carnival and other fishing and environmental organizations. Their goal is “No Pipe in Our Strait” and “No Pulp Waste in our Waters.”
Jill Graham-Scanlan, president of Friends of the Northumberland Strait, says citizen concern has been building steadily since Northern Pulp announced their proposal last September.
“What is at risk is huge,” says Graham-Scanlan. "The livelihood of over 3,000 fishermen from three provinces, a First Nation commercial and food fishery, a $200 million Northumberland tourism economy, a $65 million sport fishing industry, property values, small businesses and the social well-being of our citizens are all at risk.”
When & Where
Friday, July 6, 12 noon - 2 pm
12 p.m. Citizens gather at Pictou Exhibition Grounds in preparation for march
12:30 p.m. Citizen March - Pictou Exhibition Grounds to Hector Quay Marina, Pictou Waterfront
12:30 p.m. Boats gather at mouth of Pictou Harbour
1 p.m. Boats sail into Pictou Harbour, Remarks and messages of support – Hector Quay Marina, Pictou Waterfront
Who & What:
- Hundreds of boats are expected to fill Pictou Harbour including fishing boats from all three Atlantic provinces and Pictou Landing First Nation
- First Nation chiefs from Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick will stand with Chief Andrea Paul from Pictou Landing First Nation
- Citizens will march through the streets of Pictou in support of a healthy Northumberland Strait
- Representatives from Fishing industry, First Nations, tourism, recreation and environment will share messages of support.
Rally information can be found at nopiperally.com
