November 18, 2021
This week’s hearing of the Nova Scotia Aquaculture Review Board marks the first in Nova Scotia since the review and changes to the Provincial Regulations. Following a formal submission to the Board, representatives of the Consultation Team at Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn (KMK) have been attending the hearing where the Boundary Amendment Application for Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. is being heard. Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. is the company who operates the Cooke Aquaculture’s 20-cage salmon farm at Rattling Beach, near Digby, Nova Scotia.
On behalf of our member communities, KMK has continued to state the adverse impacts that the boundaries of the Cooke Aquaculture facility has on the traditional harvesting of the Mi’kmaq. While formal consultation has been requested by the Mi’kmaq under the 2010 Terms of Reference for a Mi’kmaq-Nova Scotia-Canada Consultation Process, our concerns seemed to have been pushed aside and ignored. While the proponent has continued to operate outside its boundary, impeding our ability to exercise our Section 35 constitutionally protected fishing rights, the Province has chosen not to consult with the Mi’kmaq on the application.
At this week’s hearing, Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. is not looking to add more cages or fish at their site, they are requesting a boundary amendment to legitimize the area that they have already been using for decades. The Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture knew they had exceeded their boundaries but allowed them to continue operations while they reviewed the aquaculture rules for the province.
The Consultation Team at KMK has communicated to the Nova Scotia government that even though the company is now filing for a formal boundary extension, this does not mean that the impacts of their ongoing expanded operations are negated. Previous infringement on our Treaty Rights and traditional harvesting practices do not justify continued infringement through a boundary extension.