St. Ann’s Harbour
– What Does the Future Hold?
A Prince Edward Island firm has submitted applications for leases 1186, 1187, 1188 and 1189 (see maps) for a total of 1200 acres in St. Ann’s Harbour. This is in addition to the two leases of approximately 200 aces that they have already leased and seeded in this Harbour. Their goal is to harvest 6 to 8 million pounds of mussels annually. The leases are in the name of Bounty Bay Shellfish Inc. (Russell and Scott Dockendorf) but are to be shared with 5M Aqua Ltd. (two brothers and three other relatives of Kenneth MacAskill, MLA for Victoria County).
The Stewards of St. Ann’s Harbour Association have concerns about this application for a “factory” mussel farm. The members are concerned about the massive size of these leases. DFO staff has said they believe it is the largest single lease in North America.
They are concerned that the project was fast tracked without information being provided to the citizens. A session held at the Gaelic College on the evening prior to the Public Hearing was held without any notices being posted, without advertisement on radio or in the newspaper. It was announced at a Victoria County Council meeting held in Baddeck – only those who were present or were notified by someone attending that Council meeting, knew about the “so-called’ information session.
The Public Hearing, which had two sessions held a week apart, was conducted at Englishtown in April of this year. Concerned citizens raised questions but received very little in the way of answers. MLA Kenneth MacAskill had his letter of support read into the record by a family member and did not ask for any guarantees of job numbers or that the local labour force would be used.
The Victoria County Council gave their support to the proposal, despite the fact that more people expressed concerns than expressed support at the Public Hearing. They also submitted their letter of support without asking for any guarantee for numbers of jobs or for resulting jobs to be provided to the labour force in the area.
An Environmental Impact Study, part of the lease application, will be done by a company or individual that has been chosen by Bounty Bay Inc. and will be paid for by Bounty Bay Inc. Their results are submitted for evaluation to two branches of the DFO (Navigable Waters Division and Habitat Protection Division). These two Departments will evaluate the results to determine if it is in compliance with Federal Acts. The Navigable waters Act does not even mention aquaculture but it is being used to assess the impact anyway. The Habitat Division is in the process of developing a workbook that outlines what is expected in the results of the assessment. The proponents have a lot of leeway in deciding the depth of their study. At the end of the day, it is still Minister Fage who determines whether the leases are approved.
Minister Fage is on record as saying, “I fully support the environmental assessment process and the navigation role the federal department plays, and for some time now I have been asking the federal Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal to reinvest in these areas. In particular, to speed up the application review process for the new and expanding aquaculture sites.” (August 10, 2000, Dept of fisheries and Aquaculture website: www.gov.ns.ca/news/details). And later in the month (August 18, 2000) on the same web site we read that Mr. Fage pressured Mr. Dhaliwal to improve the federal approval processes for aquaculture sites, stressing the need for a timely decision-making process and suggesting the Department of Fisheries and Oceans adopt a maximum turn around time of 60 to 90 days. Mr. Fage does not appear to be aware that a thorough environmental impact study should take into account seasonal variations and should take a minimum of one year. Computer modeling of the Harbour to determine its flushing rate and carrying capacity (presently being done) is inadequate and of limited use unless accompanied by field studies.
St. Ann’s Harbour is a pristine body of water. Salmon and trout spend time in it before going up the North River to spawning grounds. Tuna, dolphin and whales visit here. Fishers harvest the Harbour for lobsters, crabs, eels, mackerel, herring scallops and oysters. There is a canoe and kayak business using the River and the Harbour. Recreational fishers, boaters and sailors enjoy the Harbour at present. It is a photographer’s dream – one of the most photographed areas around the Cabot Trail. Bed and Breakfasts in the area are promoting eco tourism and time on the water, encouraging tourists to spend more days in the area. The Gaelic College, which hosts national and international events, and this year is home to Celtic Colours, overlooks this Harbour
St. Ann’s Harbour is steeped in history. In the 1600’s Captain Charles Daniel, an employee of the Company of New France, built a fort on the Harbour near the present location of the Englishtown Ferry site. After the capture of Lord Ochiltree and his settlers, Captain Daniel moved them to this site where they were put to work erecting a house, chapel and a magazine. When Captain Daniel sailed to England with his prisoners, he left at the Fort St. Ann Site a garrison of fifty men.
Nicholas Denys made another settlement in the 1630’s. He established a post at Fort St. Ann’s. He has left accounts of fields under cultivation with fine grain, and large orchards of apple trees. The French eventually abandoned Fort St. Ann to build the mighty fortress in Louisburg.
Families bearing the names Wilhausen, Gwin and Roberts were situated at the north of St. Ann’s Harbour prior to the settlement of the United Empire Loyalists on the Baddeck River.
In 1820 the first Highland Scottish settlers arrived at St. Ann’s under the leadership of Reverend Norman MacLeod. It is the story of one of the world’s greatest migrations. After thirty years of settlement approximately one thousand souls in six vessels sailed away to Australia and New Zealand. Waipu, on the North Island of New Zealand would become their main settlement. It is a saga worthy of a silver screen production. Indeed the hallowed shores of St. Ann’s and its Harbour are of world heritage status.
The Stewards of St. Ann’s Harbour are not against aquaculture and we are not against jobs. We are concerned about the health and safety of this beautiful Harbour. 1400 acres! 8 million pounds of mussels! And too many unknowns!
The Stewards of St. Ann’s Harbour Association
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