CLOSE OPEN PENS
Fabien Cousteau’s grandfather Jacques would roll over in his grave at the thought of his name being used by our NDP government to promote the development of open-pen salmon feedlots in our pristine oceans. Let’s hope that is not the case.
Cousteau is a keynote speaker at a forum entitled “Feeding a growing world while protecting our oceans.” This is one of the themes that the Dexter government has been touting to justify its $25 million investment in open-pen fish farms.
Most of the Atlantic region’s universities and the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia are among the other sponsors of this event, scheduled at 2pm on Friday, January 25 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. (See page 5 for more.)
Not all aquaculture results in the negative effects associated with open-pen ocean-based feedlots. Some shellfish farms have little impact on the environment. Land-based finfish farms are being developed by those with a vision and they resolve most of the problems experienced by companies such as Cooke Aquaculture.
Cooke is one of the world’s largest producers with open-pen feedlots, spread from Atlantic Canada to Chile. They have a history of destroying our coastlines and marine habitat, as well as eliminating precious wild salmon stocks and threatening other industries such as lobster.
It should be interesting to see if Fabien Cousteau supports this type of fish farming as a means of feeding the world. A society that promotes the idea of feeding our growing population fish laced with pesticides, antibiotics and sea lice must be challenged by those with any respect for the environment, our marine life and the human race. Fish species that are currently feeding millions of people in poorer countries are being scooped up for fish meal to raise salmon for the richer nations. Is this a sustainable method of solving the world’s food shortages?
Open-pen salmon feedlots are just one aspect of a very broad forum when it comes to discussing the entire aquaculture industry and feeding the world’s growing population. Because of the rapid expansion of this plague in our Nova Scotia harbours, and around the world, we must ensure that those who attend Mr. Cousteau’s presentation have all of the facts. Participants will be provided with background information on alternatives to open-pen ocean- based fish farms as they enter the Rebecca Cohn on Friday. We must ensure that this issue is not swept under the rug at a forum of this nature. —Wayne Mundle, Mushaboom
VITAL PARKS
Recreation Nova Scotia thanks The Coast for highlighting the importance of parks (“How to fix the city,” Feature by Tim Bousquet, January 10). Recreation Nova Scotia is a provincial not-for profit organization with over 1,000 members which advocates for quality recreation opportunities and spaces such as parks. Parks are important settings for recreation opportunities for communities and people of all ages in that they are easy and free to use. In some instances, parks help to preserve natural habitats and landscapes.
Here are seven reasons why public parks are vital for community well-being:
1) Health: Parks provide Nova Scotians the opportunity to be physically active, reduce stress and enhance a sense of wellness.
2) Economic: Parks make communities livable and desirable for businesses and homeowners.
3) Sustainable development: Parks provide vital green space and reduce the effects of sprawl.
4) Public good: Parks preserve public lands for the benefit and use of all.
5) Environment: Parks provide critical wildlife habitat.
6) Social: Parks facilitate social interactions which maintain community cohesion and pride.
7) Individual: Parks provide enjoyable structured and unstructured activities for all ages.
Recreation Nova Scotia believes parks are vital for livable communities. We encourage innovative and sustainable parks-use and management which balance social, economic and environmental values. We also believe additional lands should be set aside as parks for future Nova Scotians.
There was never a community criticized for having too much outdoor open space—we know the opposite to be true. —Rhonda Lemire, executive director, Recreation Nova Scotia
This article appears in Jan 24-30, 2013.