News release

Independent Aquaculture Regulatory Review Panel Releases Draft Report

Fisheries and Aquaculture

Nova Scotia's Independent Aquaculture Regulatory Review Panel released its draft report today, July 4, for public review and feedback.

The draft report is posted at www.aquaculturereview.ca . The panel will seek feedback at four public meetings this month as well as through its website.

Professors Meinhard Doelle and William Lahey, of the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, were appointed to the independent panel to conduct the review in April 2013.

Releasing the draft report for public feedback was a commitment made at 40 public meetings in coastal communities last summer, at the beginning of the review.

The panel held targeted meetings with more than 20 organizations as well as other people, and conducted three knowledge workshops with researchers and local experts.

The panel met monthly with an advisory committee that included:

  • Chief Terry Paul, Membertou First Nation
  • Mark Butler, Ecology Act Centre
  • Karen Traversy, Coastal Coalition of Nova Scotia
  • Lisa Fitzgerald, Nova Scotia Fisheries Sector Council
  • Carl Purcell, Nova Scotia Salmon Association
  • Brian Blanchard, Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia
  • Roderick Murphy Jr., Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities

It also received advice from a diverse roundtable that included representatives from First Nations, coastal communities, environmental organization, the fisheries sector, tourism, municipalities, salmon anglers, the aquaculture industry and the broader public.

The panel spoke with regulators in other jurisdictions and conducted independent research on regulatory approaches and best practices.

Its report on the community meetings, notes on the knowledge workshops and targeted meetings, and the roundtable's report to the panel are available on the panel's website.

The panel will seek feedback on the draft report at public meetings in:

  • Yarmouth, Rodd Grand Hotel, Monday, July 21, 6-9 p.m.
  • Tatamagouche, Tatamagouche Fire Hall, Tuesday, July 22, 6-9 p.m.
  • Baddeck, Baddeck Fire Hall, Wednesday, July 23, 6-9 p.m.
  • Halifax, location to be announced, Thursday, July 24, 6-9 p.m.

The panel's final report will be submitted to Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell in September.