The Kingsburg Coastal Conservancy (KCC) is rallying Nova Scotians to take immediate action against a proposed 15-year lease for rockweed harvesting along the Lunenburg County coastline. The call to action involves submitting formal objections to the Fisheries Minister by Wednesday, December 6, the deadline set seven days after the notice of intent’s publication regarding the proposed project.
Scotia Garden Seafood Inc. from Yarmouth is seeking approval from the Nova Scotia Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture for a 15-year rockweed harvesting venture spanning the shoreline from East Point Island to Gaff Point.
The proposed harvesting area encompasses “All that area of foreshore, including islands and ledges, on the coastline of Lunenburg County starting on East Point Island at a point 64 12’04” West, 4420’10” North; thence by various ways and means in a westerly direction along the coastline to Gaff Point at 6417’18” West; 4414’30” North.”
Scotia Garden Seafood’s notice of intent appeared as an advertisement in the November 29, 2023, edition of LighthouseNow newspaper and in Nova Scotia’s Royal Gazette, adhering to the stipulated application process outlining notice requirements.
Environmental Concerns and Tight Turnaround for Objections Emphasized by Conservation Group
In a recent newsletter, the KCC, a conservation association centered on Lunenburg County’s Kingsburg Peninsula, voiced their objection to the proposed application. They argue that the 7-day deadline, coupled with the posting of the application in a local newspaper, is insufficient as a public consultation method. The KCC is strongly advocating for a more thorough and proper consultation process.
This move by Scotia Garden Seafood Inc. has raised environmental concerns, prompting the KCC to emphasize the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the potential impacts on the coastal ecosystem. The group believes that a more robust consultation process is essential for gathering diverse perspectives and ensuring the well-being of the Lunenburg County coastline.
KCC is now urging Nova Scotians to actively participate in the objection process by submitting their concerns to the Fisheries Minister before the specified deadline. The outcome of this proposed rockweed harvesting venture holds significant implications for the local environment, making public engagement a crucial aspect of the decision-making process.
