The fish processing plant in Harbour Breton had a productive week handling the fish that survived the recent incident involving Mowi Canada East, resulting in the loss of around 400,000 salmon. This incident did not diminish the strong support for the aquaculture industry in the Coast of Bays region.
Aquaculture companies and their supporting businesses play a vital role in creating numerous job opportunities in the rural communities along the south coast of Newfoundland. These operations are credited with bolstering the local economy.
Harbour Breton Deputy Mayor Roy Drake emphasized the significance of aquaculture in sustaining the local economy, alongside traditional fisheries like crab and lobster. Despite occasional challenges, the aquaculture industry, which has been a key employer for over two decades, continues to garner support from the community.
In a recent incident near Harbour Breton, approximately 400,000 farmed salmon perished due to a thermocline inversion, as reported by Mowi Canada East. Despite this setback, Deputy Mayor Drake remains optimistic about the industry’s growth potential and its importance to the region.
Fabian Manning Jr., owner of 360 Marine Ltd. based in Harbour Breton, echoed the sentiment that aquaculture plays a crucial role in the economic landscape of the region. Manning, with over a decade of business experience, highlighted the industry’s significance in sustaining livelihoods and preventing economic decline in the Coast of Bays area.
Manning acknowledged the challenges faced by the aquaculture industry in terms of public perception but emphasized that such incidents are not uncommon in other agricultural sectors globally. He emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure the industry’s sustainability and create opportunities for future generations in rural Newfoundland.
Despite setbacks, Manning expressed optimism about the potential for further aquaculture projects in the region and called for a positive shift in public perception to drive future growth and prosperity. He stressed the importance of unity in working towards common goals for the benefit of the economy, environment, and the province.
Mowi Canada East declined to provide an interview regarding the recent fish loss incident. However, a company spokesperson mentioned that the live salmon rescued from the incident are set to undergo processing this week.