What they have found is the fish farm is still having an affect on the area, even after two years.
“The weight of evidence still shows the impact of the farm is obvious,” said Ron Loucks, a physical oceanographer who also lives part time in the Port Mouton area.
Loucks presented the findings to the group on Aug. 25. Footprints were the key point to keep in mind as the data was presented, specifically how the farm’s footprint extended beyond just the area where the farm is. In some instances, evidence of the farm extended nearly two kilometres away.
The good news though is that things are showing signs of recovery around the bay, at least from the point of view of the fishermen. Many said lobster and crabs, as well as Irish moss and eelgrass were slowly recovering, though the area right at the farm was still fairly barren.
The crux of the group’s argument has not been about whether or not fish farming is good or bad, but rather to show that Port Mouton Bay is not a suitable place for one to be operated. The main reason they cite as for why is because the area around Spectacle Island and Carter’s Beach in the bay acts as a basin. It takes a very severe storm for material to be flushed out of the bay and into the open ocean.
Cooke Aquaculture, the company that currently owns the farm, has disagreed with the group on their findings in the past. They did agree to idle the site for three years however, starting in 2009, and gave the group access to the area to conduct tests.
Researchers from Dalhousie are continuing to work in the bay, collecting data to get a picture of the full effects of the fish farm. All research the group has found so far has been shared with Cooke Aquaculture as well.
In 2009, the province of Nova Scotia placed an indefinite moratorium on any expansion of fish farms in the bay. Cooke Aquacultures was seeking to expand the site before then, but has since said they will respect the moratorium.
