June 3, 2022

Aquaculture Development Area – Shellfish and Marine Plants

The Municipality of the District of Argyle is working with the NS Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture on exploring for what is known as an Aquaculture Development Area (ADA).

In the interest of economic growth for the municipality, Argyle Council had identified further development of the aquaculture industry as a priority in 2015. The geography of the municipality may offer many suitable locations to expand the industry, which could in turn aid in the expansion of our local economy. One of the barriers to entry for potential investors is the lengthy and complex provincial License and Lease application process. The primary goal of the ADA is to remove some of the burden placed on investors by shortening and simplifying the application process with the creation of areas that have already been identified as suitable for aquaculture development. The prospective ADA only applies to shellfish (e.g., American oyster, blue mussel) and marine plants (e.g., sugar kelp, dulse) and does not include Atlantic salmon or any other finfish.

In 2020, the Municipality of the District of Argyle and the Province of NS signed a memorandum of understanding that they would collaboratively explore for an ADA in Lobster Bay and Pubnico Harbour and that the Municipality shall lead local stakeholder engagements. These local stakeholders include but are not limited to fishers, American oyster farmers, the tourism industry, people and groups with recreational interests, environmental and conservation groups, rockweed harvesting and processing companies, and the wider public. The NS Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture is responsible for engaging with the various provincial and federal departments that require consultations regarding the pilot project like the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, NS Dept. of Environment and Climate Change, and NS Dept. of Natural Resources and Renewables, among others. Additionally, the Dept. of Fisheries and Aquaculture is responsible for Consultation with the Mi’kmaq of NS. Through Consultation and federal, provincial, and local engagements, areas within Lobster Bay and Pubnico Harbour are being reviewed to determine suitability for development of shellfish and marine plant aquaculture. The Municipality is currently in the process of re-engaging with local stakeholders to seek feedback on the potential areas.