Other Coastal Activities and Issues

There are many other threats facing our coasts and we are working on several of these areas, including:

Tidal Power

A recent report by US based Electric Power Research Institute recently identified the Bay of Fundy as having high potential for the development of tidal power. While renewable energy from the tides is an exciting prospect, many questions still remain about the potential risks of tidal power to Bay of Fundy ecosystem and adjacent communities, as well as how Nova Scotians can directly benefit from this new technology. A Strategic Environmental Assessment is currently underway to determine the risks and opportunities associated with tidal power in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. The Coastal Issues Committee will collaborate with local stakeholders throughout the process to ask questions, and to identify potential risks and opportunities around the development of tidal power in the Minas Basin.

EAC has been following the ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment process about potential tidal power development in the Bay of Fundy. Visit www.offshoreenergyresearch.ca to learn more and to download the background paper on tidal energy prepared by Jacques Whitford.

You can download the EAC’s paper on tidal power in context of integrated coastal management [MS Word Document] here.

Aquaculture

The aquaculture industry is expanding in many areas to supply the demand for marine species that natural fisheries cannot. Unsustainable aquaculture practices can have a number of negative impacts including high concentrations of fecal and food wastes around the cages, an increased risk of disease, and litter from careless handling of garbage.

At this time, there are many environmental concerns with how salmon farming is practiced. For that reason, we don't recommend eating farmed salmon. Farmed salmon has been rated as a product to avoid by SeaChoice Canada based on a scientific assessment. The Conservation Council of New Brunswick also has a substantial amount of information about salmon farming.

In Nova Scotia, we would like to see aquaculture expansion be guided by a plan for coastal development, in a way that does not degrade habitats or appropriate coastal land from traditional fisheries. We plan to have more information on sustainable aquaculture development for Nova Scotia available soon. To learn about the EAC’s position on salmon farming, go here.