Grieg's project location in Placentia Bay. (Photo: google/Stockfile/FIS)
Grieg believes aquaculture ruling will not jeorpadise its Newfoundland's project
CANADA
Wednesday, July 26, 2017, 02:30 (GMT + 9)
Grieg NL Seafarms deems the court ruling ordering an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) unconcerning and expects the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to appeal the ruling.
The Supreme Court ruled last week that then minister Perry Trimper did not have jurisdiction to approve the Placentia Bay salmon farm without an EIS, a process which could take a year or so, VOCM reported.
The salmon farming company wants to use 11 sites in Placentia Bay to grow salmon for processing in Marystown and intends to introduce a new species, European Triploid, into Newfoundland waters.
Several environmental organisations have expressed concern about how the new species introduced by the company would mix with wild salmon.
Meanwhile, Grieg states the project has strong public support as it will create hundreds of jobs.
For his part, Marystown Mayor Sam Synard said he was blindsided by the Supreme Court ruling, and thinks the province needs to have better guidelines for how aquaculture proposals are handled.
"There should be a playbook here now in Newfoundland and Labrador. It's like virgin territory here for people trying to invest," he told the St. John's Morning Show.
Mean Grieg states the court ruling is low risk for its project and that it does not alter its business, Synard considers the decision to be a definite setback as it means this year's construction season will be over by the time anything is resolved.
The mayor explained the project could create as many as 2,000 jobs in his region, this setback sends a poor message to other possible investors considering Newfoundland and Labrador for potential aquaculture projects.
Related articles:
- Court orders environment assessment of Grieg's aquaculture project
- Coalition opposes Govt's participation in controversial aquaculture project
- Grieg's USD 186 million aquaculture project faces new legal challenge
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