Cermaq looks to expand on Canadian East Coast
April 9, 2019
By Aquaculture North America Staff
Cermaq Canada has announced its intention to begin investigating the feasibility of growing its salmon farming operations into Nova Scotia.
The province of Nova Scotia has granted Cermaq four Options to Lease and the company said it intends to launch site investigations, feasibility studies as well as extensive public engagement.
“We are passionate salmon farmers, and we are excited about the opportunity to start on-the-ground investigations and engagement in the Guysborough, Richmond and St. Mary’s Bay regions,” said David Kiemele, managing director for Cermaq Canada. “We will be using the next six months to launch extensive stakeholder and public engagement. We have also entered into exploratory conversations with the.”
Kiemele said Cermaq is also conversing with the Mi’kmaq First Nations of Nova Scotia to establish community support and hire local employees.
“We are coming to Nova Scotia with open minds, hearts and ears; looking for guidance, local knowledge and history,” said Linda Sams, sustainable development director for Cermaq Canada. “We admit that we don’t know what we don’t know as the saying goes.
“We want to learn about what communities value, what is important to each unique region, and develop an idea of how Cermaq could potentially fit into that picture. We also want to share some of the good things we have to offer,” she continued.
Cermaq Canada has launched a website specifically for this engagement and feasibility process, which includes information about Cermaq and its intentions, contact information, updates and an opportunity to sign up for email notification. Cermaq said it will be sharing upcoming events and engagement opportunities through the website and local advertising. “We know there are going to be lots of questions and we want to make it easy for people to get the information they are looking for,” added Sams.
