Regulator rejects NGO's bid to block 30,000-tonne salmon farming project
Grieg NL is moving full speed ahead with plans for the massive Placentia Bay project.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment has rejected the Atlantic Salmon Federation's argument that the Placentia Bay project has significant environmental impact.
The Atlantic Salmon Federation is a Canadian conservation group that protects and restores wild salmon ecosystems. It launched an appeal to stop the Placentia Bay project.
The Department of Municipal Affairs and Environment released an appeal report stating: “Evaluation of potential impacts is not rigorous, reasonable, balanced, or transparent, resulting in conclusions that are not justified; lack of meaningful detail about the proponent’s approach to follow-up monitoring programs; superficial evaluation of project alternatives with unjustified conclusions.”
There have been ongoing public appeals and controversy plaguing the Grieg project that was announced in 2016.
33,000 tonnes of salmon
The Placentia Bay project is expected to cost more than Cnd $250 million dollars. The province is contributing a $30-m loan that will help construct a land-based salmon hatchery in Marystown. Eleven salmon sea cages will also be placed in the northern part of Placentia Bay.
The company plans to produce 33,000 tonnes of salmon annually and will create 800 direct and indirect jobs. This will increase production in the province to 50,000 tonnes. An economic assessment states that $82.5 million dollars in provincial GDP will be brought in.
The project is scheduled to be complete in 2025.
The complete appeal report can be viewed below:
