1.    INTRODUCTION

    A.    Putting Size Into Perspective
    B.    Visual Impact
    C.    Impact on Boating
    D.    Impact on Commercial Fishing
    E.    Proposed Economic Benifits
    F.    Permanent and Part-Time Jobs
    G.    Increased Local Purchasing
    H.    Wadges
    I.      Taxes and Rent

2.    Committee Activity
3.    Views of Committee Members
4.    Committee Comments
5.    Environmental Impact
6.    Restriction on Navigation
7.    Loss of Property Values
8.    Impact on Development and Tourism
9.    Future Unauthorized Expansion
10.    Suvstitution of or Loss of Employment
11.    Recmondation to the Minister

The Tatamagouche Bay regional Aquaculture Development Advisory Committee (RADAC) was appointed by
the Honourable Keith Colwell in mid October of 1998 to discuss aquaculture development in Tatamagouche
Bay.  RADAC committees are appointed in order to provide the minister with advice from the community on
aquaculture developments that are proposed for the local area.
        Applications were requested from many different stakeholders and intereses in the area.  A total of 40
applications were recieved and the Minister selected a total of twenty residents to represent the interests of the
total community.  Community interests were represented by four fishers, seven land owners, five local business
owners, three boaters and one aquaculturist.  Representatives of the government departments involved in the
approval process, the Nova Scotia Department of fisheries and Aquaculture, The Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard attended many of the committee meetings to observe and privide information and guidance.  The RADAC committee was appointed in response to a request by concerned local citizens when they became aware that an application for a proposed mussel farm of approximately 3,500 acres in Tatamagouche Bay was under consideration by the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries (Fisheries).  Fisheries were interested in expanding aquaculture in Nova Scotia because of its significance for economic development in the provinces coastal and rural communities.  In response to the need for development, a Prince Edward Island family with significant aquaculture operations in that province submitted the proposal for Tatamagouche bay.  This origional application consisted of three different sites in the bay representing approximately 40% of the total area.  Community reaction to this application was extremely negative and, as a result, the Honourable Keith Colwell requested the applicant submit a second application which would be of sufficient acreage to support a mussel farming operation and processing facility.  The application under the name Nova Scotia Mussel Farms Inc. is for one site covering a total area of 1,185 acres.

An information package prepared by the applicant sets forth the details regarding the economic benifits and community impacts as follows:
 

(1)  Putting Size into Perspective

        This revised application only occupies 13% of the bays total area.  Of this 13%, only 25-30% of the water column (taken vertically) is actually occupied by the mesh stockings that hold the mussels.  This reduces the total percentage of water used to about 4% of the total volume.  Such a small lease will have little or no environmental or ecological impact.

      Mussel farms conjure up images of thousands of buoys strung along the surface of the water.  This will not be the case in Tatamagouche Bay.  Using the same methodology as their P.E.I. operation, the mussel lines will be submerged.  This means that the entire operation presents no visual impact or disruption to the seascape.  The only bouys present are a small number of permeter markings as required by Coast Guard specifications.  The lease is almost a kilometer from shore, making the markers difficult to see from shore.

      The impact on boating will be minimal.  Mussel lines will be submerged at a minimum of ten feet below the surface at low tide.  Small areas of the lease will be off limits during harvesting, or when line maintenance is necessary.  This will never be more than a few acres and they will be clearly marked.  Through most of the year and during the peak boating season, the entire lease will be free and clear for navigation.

      Local fishermen have three areas of concern:

(a) That treditional fishing grounds will be cluttered with mussel gear and consequently unavailable to the traditional fishery.
(b) That the mussels will deplate the food supply, depriving other species and causing them to leave the Bay.
(c) That travel around the Bay will become restricted and difficult.

        The applicant considers the lobster and crab ground to be sacred territory.  this new application has stayed cleaaar of those places identified by local fisherman as ;pbster amd crab bottom.  Herring generally follow the shoreline so bait fishing should be unaffected.  A gaspereau license has been identified and accommaodated.  On PEI fishermaen will sometimes fish directly  among the mussel lines.

    Regarding the depltion of food supply, there is no reason, either from science or past experience, to suggest that mussels will starve out the species In question.  The following points should be considered:

(a) The mussel lease represents only a small pecentage of total water volume:
(b) Tatamagouche Baay has a 7.5 foot tidal exchange which brings in an enormaous supply of fresh plankton and algae every twelve hours;
(c) Mussels will not compete with other species for the same kind of food.
(d) Mussel gear provides a bavitat for many forms of microscopic marine life; actually Increasing the water;s ability to retain food for larger members of food chain.  The experience in PEI is that this creation of a new marine habitat has actually increased the population of other species including lovster and crab.

        The investment in  operating and growing costs to develop a base inventory of product requires approcimately $1.3 million by the end of 2001.  Capital expenditures to support growing and harvesting require a further $500,000 over five years.

        If it is economically viable to establish a mussel processing plant, an additional 13 to 15 jobs will be created. Aviable plant is dependent on the volume of mussels which is directly dependent on the amount of water available for lease.

        The owneeers of Nova Scotia Mussel Farms Inc. (The Dockendorff family) stated that they plan to address the management of production in a way whick reduces rishs and enhances quality through technologicall adcances in growing and maintenance.  The intention is to produce cultured mussels "off-bottom" in a manneer similar to the one used in the Blue Mussel industry on Prince Edqard Island.  The owners have condiderable experience in the development of growing and marketing systems which they believe will provide economic becefits to the area.  A successful farm is an asset to the community and total province.  The owners believe that they are capable of establishing the best, most up-to-date and economically biable mussel operation in Tatamagouche Bay as they draw on their successful track record in Prince Edward Island.

        The work of the committee Includes six meetings of the committee, two public meetings and an iformation gathering trip to Prince Edqard Island to tour mussel farms, interview rsidents and meet with applicant and tour thrir processing plant.

        The initial metting was held on October 21, 1998, and was attended by staff from the Department of Fisheries.  It was determined that all future committee meetings would be held in camera.  For public information purposes, the minutes of all meetings were posted on the Tatamagouche Web site with an e-mail link for comments and questions.  The minutes were also posted on bulletin boards in the local area and frequent press releases were issued to local and provincial newspapers.

        The next two meetings of the committee were scheduled for educational purposes prior to a meeting with Nova Scotia Mussel Farms Inc.

        Thomas Landry, a marine biologist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO); addressed members at a meeting October 28, 1998.  He provided information on mussel culture in general and specifically provided information on spawing, ideal water temperatures, water flows and seed collection.  In his opinion, the environmental impact from mussel farming is minimal.  He noted that 80% of Tracadie Bay in PEI is used for mussel culture.  Mussels are not cometition with other maarine species.  The grower will be the first to suffer from overproduction in a particular area.  He stated that the Fisheries Dept.  are currently conducting studies to determine the maximum amount of use that can be tolerated within a given area.

        Dr. David Scarratt, Aquaculture Consultant, and Dr. Michael Brylinsky, Acadia Centre for Estarine Research, Acadia University, addressed the committee on November 4. Dr Scarratt conducted a study on the aquaculture potential on Northern Nova Scotia, which included Tatamagouche Bay, Amit Sound and Barrachois Harbour.  This study was done in 1992-93.  He discussed farming methods, water quality, environmental impact, temperature tolerances for growth and food supply and carrying capacity of particular areas.  He particularly referred to water tempeerature - 18 C is the upper tolerance - 20 C causes problems for mussels.

        Dr. Brylinsky's area of research includes ecosystem structures, ecosystem modelling, carrying capacity of aquaculture systems and primary and secondary production processes.  He provided the Committee with additional information from his research studies.

        Dale Small, Dederal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), attended the committee meeting on November 18.  He has been involved with mussel farming since its inception in PEI.  He wxplained that 15 years ago they surveyed the areas in the province that could be adapted to aquaculture, and determined that certain areas were suitable for either intense or partial development.  Other areas were not condideered appropriate for development due to present activities that were not compaatiable with aquaculture Growers in PEI are required to enter into a development contract for an initial small acreage.  After a period of successful opeeration, they are peermitted to apply for increased presented problems.  Theere should be daily or at least weekly maintenance for the acreage.  The availability of adwquate policing is one of their problems.  Growers are now required to provide lighted navigational markers.  A lease must be well positioned well maintained and well policed.

        He would not recommend that boating be permitted over the leased areas.  Gear, rope, etc. will become detached periodically and, in addition, will occasionally end yp on the shoreline.

       PEI presently has approximately 12,000 acres under lease and each year produces 30 million pounds of mussels.

        Committee members travelled to PEI on November 30.  Mussel growing areas in Winter Bay, Tracadie Bay and Cardigan Bay were visited.  Interviews were conducted with fishermen, mussel groweres and owneer of a recreation development.  The tour alos inclluded a metting with the Dockendorfs in Morrel, and a tour of their modern processing plant which was producing product during the visit.

         Winter Bay is a spat growing area.  During the spat collection season, this Bay is filled with floating buoys.  It was noted that the shoreline in this particular bay was covered with mussel shells

           Members met with the owner of a 100 acre mussel farm located in Tracadie Bay.  His opeeeeration supports 50,000 socks with lines 40 -50 feet apart.  This could be doubled.  His average yield is 20 pounds per sock and the selling price is approximately 55 cents peer pound.  He emplays 4 people for six weeks per year on maintenance.

            The water depth on his lease is 16 - 17 feet with the mussel lines from 5 feet to 8 feet below the surface.  When growing mussels are more than on year old on the socks, they need additionaal buoyance to keep the lines off the bottom.  This can result in additional hazard to navitgation.  Unless a different methos is used, the operation in Tatamagouche Bay will have the same problem.  This opeerator indicated that the Dockendorffs do not purchase mussels from other growers.  His crop is sold to independent process operation.

            The committee interviewed the owneer of a recreation facility located on the shores of the river basin that contains a large part of the applicant's PEI operation  He explained that in the past he has had many problems associated with this operation.  Containment of the lease within the official boundaries seemed to be greatest problem.  In past years he had to require the Coast Guard to surbey and relocate the boundary lines.  Debris from the operation has also been a problem.  In  past years he had to require the Coast Guard to survey and relocate the boundary lines.  Debris from the opeeeration has also been a problem.  It was observed that there was only minmal cottage development along the shoreline next  to thse leased acreage.

            Two public meetings weeere held - one on December 16 at Tatamogouche and the second at Wallace on February 3, 1999.  Over 100 attended the meeting in Wallace and 40 - 60 at the meeting at Tatamagouche.  The committee received many briefs and petitions at these meetings.  A poll was taken at the Wallace  meeting resulting in all but seven attendees voting against the proposed lease.  The seven were not against the proposal but had not reached a definite opinion.  None present were definitely in favour of the proposal.

        The committee also recived additional letters from individuals and organizations during its tenure.  Several publications on aquaculture were alos acailable to members including :
Nova Scotia Aquaculture Development Srategy
Cold-Water Aquaculture in Atlantic Canada by the Canadian
Institute For Research on LRegional Development
Aquaculture Prosects For the Blue Musses, New South Wales Fisheries
Nation Strategy on Aquaculture in Australia, March 1994 and June 1997 Publication
 

        Members of the committee weere requested to provide a written submission to the Chairman Indication their recommendation for the final rreport of the committee.  Their recommendations may be summarized as follows:

(1) Size of thes proposed applicaation and the resulting closure to navigaation  is not acceptable to the traditional users of the bay.

(2) Traansfer policies - spat is to be grown elsewhere.  Cold-Water Aqaculture in Atlantic Canada states that transfers should be avioded due to the risk of transferring unwanted organisms, which could lead to the establishment of unwanted species.

(3) Wcoomic Benefits - The number of jobs created are directly related to the estavlishment of a processing facility.  With the present facility in PEI, it is questionable if another facility would be a profitable venture.  The negative impact on other fishermen must be considered.  Many property owners feel their property values will decrease.  Local businesses that depend on the large cottage population could be affected negatively.  the Barracois Marina, tim Hrton Children's Camp, real estate developments, cottage owners and caompground owners all support the local economy and pay taxes to the local and provincial governments.

(4) The possible navigation hazard, loss of traditional fishing grounds and the possibility of heavy ice transferring mussel gear into lobster dishing areas are a concern of the fishing community.

(5) boating activity is on the increase in the baay eill result in significant economic advantage to the area.  The approval of this lease will terminate boating activities in the baay.  Boat owners will not sail over areas that may jeopardize their boats.  The Coast Gauard hace indicated that the lease area will designated as non navigable water

(6) Many experts have addressed the Commitee but many concerns remain unanswered:
    (a) Would such a large lease change the water flow of the bay
    (b) Would a change in water flow cause shoreline erosion
    (c) what is the carrying capacity of the bay
    (d) Mussel shells could wash up on beaches, together with ropes, buoys and socks
    (e) Is the water temperature and salinlty of the bay consistent enooooough to maintain mussel growth.

(7) The local tourism industry has been focussing on the local natural resources, culture and heritage.  Our water and beaches are our unique selling point.  Nothing should be done which will affect the traditional dishing and recreational use of Tatamagouvhe Bay.  The area cottage and retirement home industry is also built around our water location.

(8) Local businesses have expressed opposition to the mussel lease.  They believe the overrall beneit from thhhis project will not justify the damage to recent development of tourism and cottage industries in the area.  Realtors have expressed opposition to the proposal.  The Tim Horton Childrens Foundation has also expressed its opposition, Plans for expansion have been delayed pending the decision on the lease.

(9) A substantial investment in the marina would be seriously affected by a large non navigable area occupying the entrance to the bay.  The restriction for this lease would require sailboats to go under motor for several miles to get to and from the marina, the main sailing area would be significantly reduced.

(10) In the early 1980's a rock crab industry was established.  It has expanded to a licensed  fishery with 56 licensed crab fishermen.  It is still a long way from reaching its potsential.  In Wallace there is a small plant that wmploys 18 - 20 production line workers.  The area to be occupied by the lease is deep water and the best area for the crab fishery,   This area is sished at the beginning of the season and again at the end of the season.  The local spring herring fishery and ground fish fishery will alos be affected by the location of the proposed lease.

        One committee member has an opposing view to that shared by other commitee members.  It is his position that the development of the bay for the production of mussels, oysters and clams will be very beneficial to the surrounding area.  There is no conflict between bottom culture and recreational boating.  It seldom causes conflict with property owners.  Concern raised by fishers and boaters at the public meetings were addressed by the Dockendorffs.  They have a desire to work things out.  They are willing to put things in writing and guarantee to boaters that the lines will stay down.

        In his opinion, musssel culture will have an impact on the environmrnt but it will be positive.  Habitats provided by ropes, anchors and stockings will give protection for otheer marine life.

        He believes that the concern by cottage owners  regarding their view is unfounded the submerged system is mostly not seen,  The concern with reqard to negative property values is unfounded.  The concern avout mussels on the beaches is difficult to quantify.  This development will not approach the conditions in Winter Bay.  This is not a good area for  spat collection.  If so, we would have had a similar situation naturally in Tatamagouche Bay.  The concern about musssel spat from other areas is not a problem.  Tranfers are monitored by DFO.

        The mussel development creates jobs for which the local workforce can be trained.  some jobs will be seasonal and some peermanent.  The inconvenience caused by the mussel development will be no more difficult to llive with than   many other changes in our community.

The Views of the Land Owners and the Business People of Tatamagouche Bay

        It has become evident since the formation of the RADAC Commitee, that the determination of whether the application of Nova Scotia Mussel Farms Inc.(NSMFI) should proceed and further  whether the Tatamagouche Bay should be ussed for mussel farm aquacultur is a very complicated one.  There is not a wealth of written knowledge and/or wxperts in this dfield, as it is stilll in its infancy.  However RADAC was able to obtain a fair amount of written information on aquaculture in general  and it had the opportunity to speal to several very knowledgeable people who could be described as expeerts in mussel aquaculture.  further, the Committee has th opportunity to cisit mussel farms in PEI and whil they were there, speak with individual mussel farmer, adjacent landowneers, traditional fishers affected by the farms and government officccials working in this area.  It is inteeresting to note that many of the conceerns the Committee members had before becoming members, continue to be concerns the committee memvers had before becoming members, continue to ve concern of the members and could not be addressed adequately by the experts which talked to the Committee.

        The concerns of the land owners and business people from the outset can be categorized as follows:

The Enviromental impacts that a mussel lease will have on the Bay.

The restriction of navigation in the Bay.

The possible loss of property values

Concern about the impact on development in the area and the affect on tourism

Control over the future expansion of mussel farm development

substitution or loss of employment opportunities in the Tatamagouche Bay area.

        The above concerns were the forefront in any discussion, which tool place with all of the people who, provided input to the Committee.  It became evident to the Committee, that there were no clear answere to some of these conceeerns because there simply was not enough statistical information available or no studies had ever been done that could provide the answere.  As a result, the Committee, in some instances, must rely on their gut feelings when making up their minds about particular issues.

        At this stage it is imortant to provide the information gathered and the opinions of the particular above noted groups on the concerns listed above.

        The Committee is not aware of any enviromental impact study that has taken place regarding the impact or mussel farm aquaculture on the existing environment.  None of the experts who talked to the Committee could indicate with certainty what impact the proposed application would have on the Tatamagouche Bay.  there were several possible concerns, which were brought to the attention of the Committee.  fisrstly, the affect that falloff will have on the beaches in the Bay.  Falloff or strippage occurs when the mussels attached to the socls die and fall to the botton  of the bay.  from there, these shell may be washed ashore by tidal currents and vace action.  Although some of the experts indicated that they did not think that falloff was a significant problem, during the trip to PEI the Committee did notice that some of the beaches in the bay where there was mussel aquaculture were covered in shells.  Other people to whom the  Committee has spoken  have also indicated that beaches in the vicinity of mussel farms were so littered with shells , they could not be used

        A second concern is the effect that the proposed lease might hace on the currents in the Bay?  Would this                the water flow of this Bay?  If so, would this lead to an increase in                     under the Bay?  Further, will the Bay be able to flush out the waste build up under the lease area?  None of the experts could assure the Committee that these scenarios would not occur.

        The third concern the Committee has, is what effect the intriduction of a species in such a large quantity will have on the ecosystem of the Bay.  Will mussels eliminate some of the existing species in the Bay?  Will new predaators enter the Bay?  For instance, there is a concern among fishers that the "Green Crab: will be drawn to the Bay.  This crab may ruin the lucrative rock crab industry.

        A fourth concern of the Committee is with the transfer of "spat" from another location.  Although there is a committee in place to review any transfer, RADAC has concerns about the ability of the Transfer Committee to police the transfer of spat.  It is known that the transfer of spat or adult shellfish may have harmful economic and ecological implications, including the infection of existing species and the introduction of unwanted species.1

        Finally, many of thes fishers on the Committee have expressed a  grave concern that the ice may damage the lease, resulting in gear washing ashore all over the Bay, not to mention onto the floor of the lobster grounds.

        Any one of these reasons alone may not appear to be that important but taken as a whole and considering that the Committee can not be assured by anyone that they will not happen, leads us to the conclusion that this application should not proceed.

Footnote/Endnote  1 Cold Water Aquaculture in Altantic Canada p.279

        The Committee has had concerns that the lease would affect navigation of the Bay for fishers and pleasure craft alike.  At this time, the Coast Guard has indicated to the Committee that the Lease will be a navigational hazard.  This means that anyone entering the lease soes so at his or here own risk.  Any damage to the gear in the lease and all costs associated with the remocal on the craft will be the expense of the pereson entering the Lease.

        A second concern with navigation, is the ability to pass  over the proposed lease area when no other route exists.   In the event of certain weather conditions, fishers would be rrequired to navigate in certain parts of the Bay in order to return to homeport.  With the presence of the mussel lease, these navigable waters may be off limits, Fishing boats when fully loaded often have to travel where winds allow, and not necessarily where they wish to steam.  Loaded fishing boats traveling through the lease area may become caught in lines etc, resulting in a serious situation which could end in the loss of lives.

        The Applicant has indicated that the byous and all gear will be sunk to depth of 10 feet below the surface of the water.  However, the Committee has spoken with individuals who have indicated that lines will always stray to the top and one should use extreme caution when entering a leased area.  The Committee feels that navigatiion of the Bay is Extremely important and the location of the Lease interfers too dramatically with the navigation of the Bay.

        The loss of property values is a direct result of the impact on the environment, the affect on navigation in the Bay, the visual impact of buoys in the Bay, and the affect of the mussel industry on traditional industries such as fishing and tourism.  No one wants to buy a cottage or build a home when the view of the Bay is covered with buoys.  similarly many people are attracted to water for boating and other recreational purposes.  If their ability to navigate in the Bay is affected then the Tatamaagouche Bay will not appeal to them.  Finally, the Applicants have indicated that the noise makeers, shot guns etc. To ward of ducks which prey on the mussels.  This typw of activity will negatively impact property values in the Bay.

        The Committee recognizes the importance of Tourism and cottage owners to this region and would not agree to allow a fledgling mussel farm operation to negatively impact them.  There are some major developments planned at Fox Harbor and also at Malagash Point.  These projects will assist in strenghtening the value of property by making this area more attractive.  It would be mistake to let this application proceed given its possible negative impacts as discussed above.

        To say that the North Shore of Nova Scotia has gone unnoticed and is underutilized would be an understatement.  The potential for Tourism and development along this shore is tremendous. It is important that North Shore has some of the warmest waters noth of the Carolinas2.  Nova Scotia is known as "Canada's Ocean Playground" and has been promoted as such.  It is important that North Shore region take every opportunity to promote all types of water activity when promoting itself.  Tourist exit surveys conducted by Tourism Nova Scotia indicate that 63% of tourist participated in some sort of water activity whil the Province3.  It is therefore particularly important that the proposed lease does not jeopardize the waters of this region.

        The Northumberland Strait with its warm pristine waters, untouched beauty and lack of fog does have a competitive advantage over other parts of the province, however, there are currently few attractions for visitors to this area.  With this in mind, the North Shore Marine Study was commissioned in 1997 by the provincial goverment and regional development groups.  The goal of this study was to determine opportunities to enhance and/or develop marine based tourism and where required marine infrastructure.4

        The writers of the study determined that educating visitors about area natural setting while providing an outdoor experience is an attractive and marketable tourism product.  Providing a critical, accessible, and visual mass of marine tourism experiences attracts tourists and encourages spontaneoud day trips.  Finally, marketing major tourist activities promotes the development of smaller attractions surrounding the larger ones.  The study pinpointed the Barrachois Marina and the Tatamagouche Harbor (Bay) as the major focal points in the Colchester County Shorelline.  Many activities were suffested for development in this area including windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, boat tours from thse Tatamagouche area, and other activities on the Tatamagouche waterfront.  The Barrachois Marina was also pinpointed as an attraction, which should be further developed.

        The Tatamagouche Bay can and should become a unique selling point for tourism in this area.  Boat tours, ecotourism, use of and expansion of thes marina and the Tatamagouche waterfront will draw people to this area.  Once they are in this area theere will be a neeed to accomodate them and provide the necessary amenities.  All of this leads to jobs for the people in this area.

        The Committee has noted that the proposed lease would potentially affect all these activities which have been suggested as ways to increase tourism.  It is the Committees' opinion that the promotion of tourism is much more important to the residents of this area that the economic benefit that may de derived from the proposed mussel farm.

        In recent years development in this are has increased significantly.  As discussed previously developments at Fox Harbor and at Malagash Point have the ability to change area forever.  These projects were undertaken in this region becauseof its natural beauty and pristine waters.  Once these projects are complete, they attract other development.  the Tatamogouche Bay has the ability to become a destination point an area of choice for cottage owneers and retirees alike.  there is significant economic spin-off associated with this type of development.  It is not difficult to see what type of economic impact the cottageowners have on this community.  It is therefore easy to conclude that the development, which is takeing place, and the development, which will occur in the future, will also play an important part in the economy of the Tatamagouche Bay area.

        The Committee also notes that the proposed lease can will impacton further development because of the negative side affects, which it brings to the Bay, which have been previously discussed.

Footnote/Endnote 2 North Shore Marine Tourism Study P.-
                            3 ibid.,p.-
                            4 ibid.,p.1

        It should be noted that the NSMFI application would be the largest single lease in Atlantic Canada and possibly in North America.  Given its size and location in the middle of the mouth of the Bay it is important that this lease does not expand.  The Committee has the legal right through the lease agreement to limity the size of the lease and to restrict expansion of the lease.  However, the Committee does not have the resources to police the lease to ensure that the lease is not expanded inadvertently or otherwise.

        The responsibility to police the lease would be in the hands of the Provincial Department of Fisheries.   Representatives of trhe Department of Fisheries have stated that they would have great difficulty in policing trhe Lease given their limited resources.  The fishers on the Committee have  also expressed their concerns about the  ability of any governmental agency to police the size of the Lease.  The Committee has heard from individuals who have indicated that the past the Applicant and other leaseholders in PEI have expanded their leases and it was left ot other neighboring leaseholdeers to object and have the department of Fisheries intervene.  Given that this Lease will be far removed from other Leases in the Bay, there would be no one to keep an eye on the perimeters of the Lease.  The Committee therefore has grave concerns about possible unauthorized expansion.

        It had been discussed that the present industries in the Tatamagouche Bay area, which may be affected by the application, include the traditional fishery, tourism and development.  The Committee has concerns that jobs created by the mussel farm will be less than or equal to the loss of jobs from the industries affected by the mussel farm will be particular, the loss of jobs in the rock crab, obster and herring fisheries, as will as a possible loss of future use of a revived fround fishery.  We alreasy have discussed in some detail the possible effect on the tourism industry, which is the largest and fastest growing industry in the Province of Nova Scotia.  Finally, development provides this area with many skilled and good paying jobs.  Will the proposed lease affect these jobs?  Although these concerns can not be answered, it is obvious that the present industries coexist and do not negatively impact each other.  In fact, they probably have a positive impact on each other and by working as a team could furtheeer develop this area.  The Committee feels that the Mussel farm does not fit into the pressent mix of industries and therefore although some of our concerns may be unfounded, we are prepared to live with the status quo.

        A major influence in the decision making process of th Committee, was what the public thought of the application.  There were two public meeting held by the RADAC during its investigation into the application.  The first was held in Tatamagouche on December 1998 and the second public meeting was held in Wallace on February 3, 1999.  The overwhelming response from both of these meetings was that the application of NSMFI's should be dismissed.  We can say with certainty that the people at the meetings represented all stakeholders in this process including landowner, cottagers, business people, and fishers from many different ports along the Strait.  Given that this Committee represents the various stakholdeers in this process there would have to be some overwhelming reason to ignore their opinions. No such reason exists!

       It is therefore the recommendation of the RADAC Committee that the application of Nova Scotia Mussel Farms Inc. be denied in it entirety.

        It has become clear to RADAC during the review process that not only must it deal with the NSMFI application but RADAC must also attempt to provide input on all future development of the Aqaculture Industry within the Tatamagouche Bay area

        For all of the above reasons, the landowners and the business representatives on RADAC concur n the following recommendation for the future development of Tatamagouche Bay Area as previiously defined in this report:

That there shall be no future suspended culture or offbottom culture development within the Tatamagouche Bay Area.

That all bottom culture applications be reviewed on an application by application basis to ensure that they are acceptable to the Community.

That application number 1103 submitted by Daivid Canning and dated the 10th day of June 1998 be hereby granted.