Fundy Baykeeper - Defending the Bay of Fundy

Newsroom

January 20, 2009

Government of New Brunswick Plans to Designate Fundy Beaches for Aquaculture Use
The Government of New Brunswick intends to designate a number of Bay of Fundy beaches for use by the aquaculture industry, and 19 beaches have been identified as candidate sites. Residents of coastal communities surrounding the Bay of Fundy consider Fundy beaches to be public areas for use by everyone. These beaches are used for recreation and enjoyment by residents of all ages in coastal communities and are important for tourism and local fisheries.

To date people living in the Fundy coastal communities have not adequately been informed regarding the Government’s initiative to designate beaches. Furthermore it appears the Government has no plan to hold public consultation meetings in affected communities. In view of the current situation Fundy Baykeeper, David Thompson, has written a letter to Hon. Wally Stiles, Minister of Natural Resources, requesting that prior to any beach being designated for aquaculture use; a public meeting be held by DNR in the community where the candidate beach is located to provide information and receive comments and submissions from community residents, beach users and the public.

David Thompson's Letter to Hon. Wally Stiles, Minister of Natural Resources

January 13, 2009

Hon. Wally Stiles

Minister of Natural Resources

PO Box 6000

Fredericton NB E3B 5H1

Dear Minister Stiles:

We recently received a letter and material from the Crown Lands Branch of your department regarding your department’s plan to designate beaches in the Bay of Fundy for Aquaculture Industry use.

The letter and material lists a total of 19 Bay of Fundy beaches and gives a deadline of January 23 for the return of comments to your department on the proposed Aquaculture Industry use of these beaches.

Most, if not all, of the 19 beaches listed are considered public beaches by residents of the communities in which they are located. Furthermore, a large number of these beaches are used for recreation and enjoyment by people of all ages, both community residents and visitors throughout the year. Many of these beaches are also important to local tourism or may be used by local fishermen for maintenance or emergency repairs to their boats or gear.

We request prior to any beach being designated for aquaculture use: A public meetingbe held by D.N.R. in the community where the candidate beach is located, to provide information and receive comments and submissions from community residents and the public.

The current consultation process with letters being sent out to only a few select property owners and interest groups, and a response deadline of January 23 is inadequate and completely unacceptable.

David H. Thompson

Fundy Baykeeper

Conservation Council of New Brunswick

PO Box 24056, RPO Lancaster

Saint John NB E2M 5R8

		Baykeeper Hotline 506-650-5849
		Newsroom January 20, 2009 Government of New Brunswick Plans to Designate Fundy Beaches for Aquaculture Use The Government of New Brunswick intends to designate a number of Bay of Fundy beaches for use by the aquaculture industry, and 19 beaches have been identified as candidate sites. Residents of coastal communities surrounding the Bay of Fundy consider Fundy beaches to be public areas for use by everyone. These beaches are used for recreation and enjoyment by residents of all ages in coastal communities and are important for tourism and local fisheries. To date people living in the Fundy coastal communities have not adequately been informed regarding the Government’s initiative to designate beaches. Furthermore it appears the Government has no plan to hold public consultation meetings in affected communities. In view of the current situation Fundy Baykeeper, David Thompson, has written a letter to Hon. Wally Stiles, Minister of Natural Resources, requesting that prior to any beach being designated for aquaculture use; a public meeting be held by DNR in the community where the candidate beach is located to provide information and receive comments and submissions from community residents, beach users and the public. David Thompson's Letter to Hon. Wally Stiles, Minister of Natural Resources January 13, 2009 Hon. Wally Stiles Minister of Natural Resources PO Box 6000 Fredericton NB E3B 5H1 Dear Minister Stiles: We recently received a letter and material from the Crown Lands Branch of your department regarding your department’s plan to designate beaches in the Bay of Fundy for Aquaculture Industry use. The letter and material lists a total of 19 Bay of Fundy beaches and gives a deadline of January 23 for the return of comments to your department on the proposed Aquaculture Industry use of these beaches. Most, if not all, of the 19 beaches listed are considered public beaches by residents of the communities in which they are located. Furthermore, a large number of these beaches are used for recreation and enjoyment by people of all ages, both community residents and visitors throughout the year. Many of these beaches are also important to local tourism or may be used by local fishermen for maintenance or emergency repairs to their boats or gear. We request prior to any beach being designated for aquaculture use: A public meetingbe held by D.N.R. in the community where the candidate beach is located, to provide information and receive comments and submissions from community residents and the public. The current consultation process with letters being sent out to only a few select property owners and interest groups, and a response deadline of January 23 is inadequate and completely unacceptable. David H. Thompson Fundy Baykeeper Conservation Council of New Brunswick PO Box 24056, RPO Lancaster Saint John NB E2M 5R8