ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

Oysters are Filter feeders….but there is more to the story

We agree that oysters are filter feeders but also point out that the presence of shellfish aquaculture also creates other problems, especially in shallow estuaries like Antigonish Harbour.  

All the scientific literature agree that eel grass is vital to the health of a harbour, especially a shallow estuary like ours.  However, there are broadly different findings on the impact of oyster aquaculture on eel grass, especially in the face of year round operation, new and unproven gear and shallow depths.

In short, the science on this topic is unsettled.  Further, there is no publicly available data on the current state of the vegetation, fish and bird life and flush rate in the areas of the harbour covered by Mr. Porter’s proposed leases. Consequently, if Mr. Porter is  permitted to proceed without a comprehensive  third party survey of the areas he is proposing to lease, we will have no way of knowing the actual  impact this farm will have on the harbour and its habitat.

WANT TO INSERT THE DOCUMENT “REVISED SUMMARY IMPACT OF BIVALVE FARMS”