FISHERIES/AQUACULTURE--Aquaculture Review Board Members Appointed

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell has appointed the first members of the new independent Nova Scotia Aquaculture Review Board.

"Appointing members to the Aquaculture Review Board is an important next step in ensuring our aquaculture industry continues to grow in an environmentally sustainable way," said Mr. Colwell. "The knowledge and experience these members bring to the review board will give us one of the most robust approaches for regulating aquaculture in the world."

Jean McKenna of the Halifax Regional Municipality was appointed as chair of the review board. Ms. McKenna is a retired lawyer with 30 years' experience as a litigator. She is currently the chair of the Nova Scotia Police Review Board. She also has involvement with such bodies as the Elizabeth Fry Society, Nova Scotia Barristers' Society and Metro Resource Centre for Independent Living. Ms. McKenna is being appointed as chair of the Aquaculture Review Board for a three-year term.

Michael McKinnon of Halifax Regional Municipality was appointed as a member of the review board. Mr. McKinnon is an owner of two businesses giving him experience in business management and financial risk assessment. He has knowledge of recreational fishing industries through his long time enjoyment of recreational salmon fly fishing. His appointment is for a two-year term.

Richard Patterson of Halifax Regional Municipality is currently the president of AquaEng Consulting. He is an adjunct assistant professor of the Engineering Department, Dalhousie University and a member of the Aquaculture Engineering Society and continues to study the engineering aspects of aquaculture broadly. His appointment is for a three-year term.

The Nova Scotia Aquaculture Review Board is a new adjudicative board which reviews and makes decisions on applications for marine aquaculture licences and leases. They will also hold public hearings on applications.

Aquaculture is worth about $60 million annually to the Nova Scotia economy and supports 600 direct jobs.

For more information on the regulations and aquaculture visit http://novascotia.ca/fish/aquaculture.