We welcome economic development but believe we should look at costs and risks along with benefits

AN OYSTER FARm Brings Economic Risks

We want the Town and County of Antigonish to thrive. We want new homes and businesses to be tourism to continue growing, property values and municipal tax revenues to grow.   

Mr. Porter believes his oyster farm will create 8 to 10 jobs.   Assuming his business mirrors other aquaculture businesses in the province, this will mean 2 or 3 full time positions, and a mix of seasonal and part time jobs, mainly in the summer when other industries are also looking for employees. 

The creation of these new jobs will come with costs and risks.  The province and the federal government will be providing grants and subsidized loans to Mr. Porter.  The road to his processing plant will likely have to be upgraded and maintained, the oyster farm will have to be inspected and monitored by provincial employees.  

Aside from direct costs, safety and environmental risks, there are a range of economic risks.  Mr. Porter’s new technology simply may not work or his business may fail for countless reasons some under his control and many not.  The four men who gather oysters in the harbour today may find that Mr. Porter’s farm adversely impacts their yields.   New home construction and property values along the harbour are likely to be impacted by the presence of a  large commercial fishing operation.  The lobster fishermen and oyster gatherers will  be forced to navigate around the oyster fields and possibly deal with dislodged oyster gear following storms.  Recreational fishermen and hunters who visit the harbour and patronize local businesses will find the harbour less appealing after key portions are covered with 36,000 oyster floats and related cables, ropes and buoys.