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Fish Farm Decision Reaches to Future

by Donald C Smith, St. Ann’s

To the editor:

Once again we have an uprising in the Highlands. This time it is over an application for leases for some 1,200 acres for mussel farming in St. Ann’s Harbour.

Over the past few years, five individuals have tried mussel farming in St. Ann’s Harbour. These efforts all ended in failure. We also had a large fish farm that ended the same way.

The huge fish farm at Seal Island cost us millions because nobody had common sense to check the temperature of the water.

It seems the only money the fish farm at Whycocomagh generates is through the sale of licenses to ice fisherman. The fish conveniently escape every fall.

Make no mistake about it: the same experts who were around then are still working for the government.

St. Ann’s Harbour is a public harbour and all people have access to its waters. The lease applications are all in the name of the Dockendorfs; if their application are approved they will have a complete monopoly on the harbour, and what will happen to the rights and licenses to lobster, crab, eel and smelt? What will the impact be on oyster leases and lobster pounds? What about the rights of those who use the harbour for tourism (kayaking, sailing, diving, and sports fishing)?

If someday your grandchildren standing on the look-offs look down on St. Ann’s Harbour, the crown jewel of Cape Breton, and curse you for not protecting it, you will have nobody to blame but yourself. Now is the time to make sure that you will rest in peace.

Donald C Smith,

St. Ann’s