The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) is welcoming comments made this week by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NL MP Clifford Small opposing the current approach to marine protected areas that they say threaten current and future economic growth on the south coast.
NAIA vice-president of public relations with Cooke Aquaculture, Joel Richardson, says while Parks Canada and the steering committee have reduced the size of the proposed Marine Protected Area off the province’s south coast, it’s still “unacceptable.”
Joel Richardson (Submitted/Cooke Aquaculture)
“They have clearly identified areas along the south coast (where) fishing and aquaculture and other activities would be completely restricted,” said Richardson.
That, he says, will have a negative economic impact on the fishing, aquaculture and mining sectors, affecting local jobs, and communities.
