An aquaculture site in the Municipality of the District of Argyle
Centre for Marine Applied Research / Perennia
The Municipality of the District of Argyle, in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia will host the first Aquaculture Development Area with pre-approved sites for growing shellfish and marine plants.
Therefore, the municipality and other agents will analyse the future aquaculture sites while collecting scientific data. Then, communities will be informed before companies can apply for a licence, the Government of Nova Scotia confirms.
The Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Kent Smith underlined the commitment behind this project: "Municipal and department staff have worked together over the past four years to make this project a reality."
"It’s a proactive approach to aquaculture development to support local economies and sustainable shellfish and marine plant farming. Sites were reviewed by the Department, working with federal and provincial government partners and the municipality," he added.
The Argyle Aquaculture Development Area will include aquaculture sites in Lobster Bay and Pubnico Harbour that will be developed in phases over time.
On behalf of the community of Argyle, the warden for the Municipality of the District Danny Muise, said: "Argyle is thrilled to host the first aquaculture development area in North America – that involves the municipality working with government and the community to create this pilot project."
"We already host great oyster producers in our region, and this announcement allows for streamlined oyster growth in our waters, which we believe to be an excellent way to provide other income options for our fishing community," he reminded.
In January, the Government of Nova Scotia announced at an aquaculture industry conference in Halifax the expansion of the rating system for aquaculture sites to include shellfish operations like oyster and mussel farms, CBC News reported.