MARYSTOWN, N.L.
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
CANADA
The proposed Placentia Bay aquaculture project by Grieg NL has been released from environment assessment, the Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment announced on Thursday, Sept. 6.
In a news release, the department said it informed Grieg NL Nurseries Ltd. and Grieg NL Seafarms Ltd. that the Environmental Impact Statement was deemed acceptable and that the project may proceed subject to the conditions and all other legislative requirements such as the necessary permits, licences, and approvals.
Additionally, the proponent was provided with the regulatory and mitigative advice collected from the reviewing federal and provincial government agencies throughout the scientific and technical assessment of the project.
Grieg NL was advised on Nov. 8, 2017 that an EIS would be required for the project, which includes a salmon hatchery in Marystown and 11 sea cages in Placentia Bay.
Placentia West-Bellevue MHA Mark Browne is calling the decision by the province welcomed news for Placentia Bay.
“This is an important step in the evolution of this aquaculture project, which will result in hundreds of jobs from both the project itself and the related supply industries,” he said in an e-mailed statement to The Southern Gazette.
“Having a land-based hatchery in Marystown with adjacent marine sites in Placentia Bay will transform our local economy in a positive way. Stability and continuity will mean jobs at home for many people. This is indeed good news and complements work underway to redevelop the former Marystown Shipyard into an Aquaculture Supply Hub.”
Burin-Grand Bank MHA Carol Anne Haley is also celebrating the department’s decision.
“We have overcome a huge hurdle in the ongoing process of establishing Grieg SeaFarms as a major player in the economy of the Burin Peninsula, and indeed, the whole province.”
Haley said that the news also means good thing to the people she represents in St. Lawrence, “where year-round processing of salmon is expected to take place.”
She added the direct jobs, as well as the many economic spin-offs resulting from the aquaculture project could serve the Burin Peninsula for many years to come.
Colin.farrell@southerngazette.ca
