In Harbour Breton, the fish processing plant had a hectic week handling the fish that survived a recent incident involving Mowi Canada East, where approximately 400,000 salmon died. The aquaculture industry enjoys strong support from residents in the Coast of Bays area.
Aquaculture operations and related services play a vital role in creating numerous employment opportunities in the rural communities along the south coast of Newfoundland. Deputy Mayor Roy Drake of Harbour Breton emphasized the industry’s significance in sustaining the local economy, alongside traditional fisheries like crab and lobster.
Although the aquaculture sector has been a major employer in the region for over two decades, it has faced challenges. In 2019, Mowi reported the removal of 2.6 million dead fish from its sites in southern Newfoundland. Recently, an incident near Harbour Breton resulted in the loss of about 400,000 farmed salmon due to a thermocline inversion.
Despite setbacks, Deputy Mayor Drake remains optimistic about the industry’s growth potential. He highlighted the industry’s importance to the community, region, and province, emphasizing the need to protect and support it.
Fabian Manning Jr., owner of 360 Marine Ltd. in Harbour Breton, echoed the sentiment, stating that aquaculture plays a crucial role in the region’s economic landscape. Manning emphasized the industry’s positive impact on local livelihoods and expressed hope for changing perceptions to ensure future generations benefit from aquaculture opportunities.
Manning acknowledged the industry’s challenges with public perception but emphasized that incidents occur in various agricultural sectors worldwide. He called for collaboration to promote responsible practices that benefit the economy, environment, and community.
Looking ahead, Manning sees potential for more aquaculture projects in the region, aiming for a shift in industry perception to create sustainable job opportunities for rural Newfoundlanders. While Mowi Canada East declined an interview regarding the recent fish die-off, a company spokesperson mentioned that the live salmon from the incident would be processed soon.