| As deadlines loom, Cermaq hasn't finalized Nova Scotia fish farm locations | |
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After nearly a year of scouting potential locations in Nova Scotia for an East Coast expansion, and with a deadline just two weeks away, Cermaq Canada says it has not settled on where it wants to put up to 20 salmon farms in the province.
"We're getting closer with certain areas, but this is quite an involved process," said Linda Sams, the company's director of sustainable development.
Last year, Cermaq was awarded leases for six coastal sites in Nova Scotia: St. Marys Bay, Chedabucto Bay, Guysborough East, Bay of Rocks, Mahone Bay and St. Margarets Bay.
The options give the company six months — plus an option for an extension — to evaluate potential locations prior to an application for a specific site. |
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Four of the six leases expire March 27 and no further extensions can be granted, while the two for St. Margarets Bay and Mahone Bay expire July 9, but a three-month extension is possible.
Cermaq, which has always maintained that its operations are environmentally sound, said it needs more time to consult with fishermen and carry out tests to determine the suitability of coastal areas under consideration.
"We're committed to coming out and saying something by the end of March when the deadline is up, so definitely in a few weeks we'll be coming out and saying what our next steps are," said Sams. |
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