Beyond the open net-pen: a community event series

K’jipuktuk (Halifax) -- As the federal government transitions away from open net-pen salmon farms in British Columbia, Nova Scotia is planning a major open net-pen expansion.  

Why is Nova Scotia embracing a polluting industry when other jurisdictions are starting to ban it? And what can we do about it?

In response, the Ecology Action Centre is partnering with British Columbia’s Living Oceans Society, Vancouver Island’s Clayoquot Action, and several Nova Scotian stewardship organizations to host a coast-to-coast conversation about the risks open net-pen salmon aquaculture poses to wild salmon populations.

Experts from British Columbia will join Nova Scotian lobstermen, environmental activists, sustainable aquaculture entrepreneurs and others for a series of presentations, panel discussions and audience Q&A sessions.

Event details: 
Saturday, February 29, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Trinity Anglican Church
109 Queen St., Digby, N.S.
Co-hosted by St. Mary’s Bay Protectors

Sunday, March 1, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Margaret’s Centre
12 Westwood Blvd., Upper Tantallon, N.S.
co-hosted by Twin Bays Coalition

Monday, March 2, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Astor Theatre
219 Main St., Liverpool, N.S.
co-hosted by Protect Liverpool Bay Association

All three events will feature the following speakers: 

• Karen Wristen, Executive Director of Living Oceans Society.  
• Bob Chamberlin, former Chief Councillor of the Kwikwasutinuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation, former VP of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and founder of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance. 
• Bonny Glambeck, the Executive Director and co-founder of the Tofino-based environmental non-profit, Clayoquot Action.  
• Simon Ryder-Burbidge, Marine Conservation Campaigner with the Ecology Action Centre. 

Additional speakers at various events will include:  

• Rick Wallace of the St. Mary’s Bay Protectors 
• Chris Heide, Council of Canadians-South Shore Chapter 
• Jeff Wagner, lobsterman from Stonehurst, NS 
• The Indian Point Young Naturalists 
• Lorne Johansson, Tourism Industry Association of NS 
• Vince Boutilier, lobsterman from St. Margaret’s Bay, NS 
• Kirk Haverstock, CEO of the land-based, closed-containment aquaculture company Sustainable Blue based in Centre Burlington, NS 
• Colin Sproul, fifth-generation lobster fisherman, Vice President of the Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen's Association · Brian Muldoon of the Protect Liverpool Bay Association 

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Notes for media: Karen Wristen, Executive Director, Living Oceans Society, and Bonny Glambeck, Executive Director, Clayoquot Action will be available for interviews starting Friday, February 28. Bob Chamberlin will be available for interviews starting on February 29. 

The Ecology Action Centre is a member-based environmental charity in Nova Scotia, providing leadership on the critical issues of biodiversity protection, climate change, and environmental justice.