A subsidiary of Japan’s giant Mitsubishi Corporation has unveiled an ambitious proposal to build salmon farms in Nova Scotia.
Cermaq Canada says the Nova Scotia government has granted the company four options to lease sites in the Chedabucto Bay region along the eastern shore, and in the St. Mary’s region south of Digby.
The British Columbia-based company says it will now conduct feasibility studies as well as extensive public consultations in Nova Scotia.
A Cermaq website says the company hopes to obtain about 20 salmon farm licences, with two hatcheries and a processing plant.
It says more than 300 jobs could be created, and suggests the farms would contribute $500 million to the local economy.
David Kiemele, managing director of Cermaq Canada, says the company will need the support of the Mi’kmaq to proceed.
“We are coming to listen, to learn and to ask questions,” he said in a statement. “As excited as we are, we know that we need to have community, stakeholder and Mi’kmaq support to proceed, and we look forward to those discussions.”
Linda Sams, Cermaq Canada’s sustainable development director, said they will open an office in Guysborough, N.S., investigate sites and collect data.
“We are coming to Nova Scotia with open minds, hearts and ears; looking for guidance, local knowledge and history. We admit that we don’t know what we don’t know as the saying goes,” she said in a statement.
“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.”
Cermaq says it has about 4,500 employees, with farms off Vancouver Island as well as in northern Norway and Chile.
