New Nova Scotia aquaculture regulations 'more accountable'

Nova Scotia Fisheries Minister Keith Colwellreleased new regulations for aquaculture in Lunenburg Monday to provide "a more accountable and responsibleapproach to aquaculture" that includes more public input.

He said the government is prepared to lift a moratorium on new fish farms in 2016. He said the new rules will restore confidence in the industry.

• Read the new regulations

"We can get this right," he told an audience of aquaculture supporters and critics.

Colwell saida quasi-judicial aquaculture review board will be appointed in the new year and itwill have final approval on applications for sites.

J.P. Deveau of Acadian Seaplants said the change is good for Nova Scotia's economy.

"With few exceptions, Nova Scotia is not a major player in agriculture. But Nova Scotia does have an ocean Ontario and Alberta don't have one," he said.

The new regulations enhance that natural advantage, he said.

"Industry needs clarity in order to invest the time and energy to develop this industry. These regulations do just that," said Deveau

Murray Hillof the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Associationsaid the industry has been looking for clear rules so the moratorium can be lifted.

He wants to look over the new regulations in detail before commenting on any possible shortcomings, he said.

Moratorium imposed in 2013

After controversy in coastal communities over salmon farms, Nova Scotia imposed a moratorium on new fin fish and shellfish sites in May 2013.

The new rules offer more public input onnew sites.

The province will seek applications for future sites and look at five factors:the potential benefits to the community and province, a company'sprevious record, its ability to deliver, the concentration of sites in an area, and thesuitability of the project.

If the minister approves an application, the filewill then go to a newly-created aquaculture review board, which must hold a public meeting before it approves or rejectsa site.

"I expect they will accept some andreject others. We are taking the politics out of this totally," Colwell said.

The existing 12 fin fish farms in the province now have 12 months to file a fish management plan that meets environmental monitoring standards.

The rules will require more testing and monitoring on fish farms and make the results public.

The government says the aquacultureindustry is worth $60 million annually in Nova Scotia.