The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association has launched a new campaign against a federally-proposed National Marine Conservation Area along the province’s south coast.

If implemented, the association says the conservation area would “devastate” the seafood industry because boats would not be able to fish. As a result, aquaculture facilities would shut down.

Executive Director Keith Sullivan says people in the region feel like their voices are not being heard. That’s why the Save South Coast Jobs campaign has been launched.

The campaign features the voices of those in the communities that would be impacted by the federal  decision, including people in the aquaculture industry, small-business owners, and mayors.

Sullivan states that people are also concerned about investors leaving the area, meaning job loss.

The association is calling on Premier John Hogan, MHAs, and local MPs to voice their concerns to Ottawa about the impacts of the creation of a National Marine Conservation Area.