Canada: Newfoundland aquaculture industry pushing back against proposed marine protected area

The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) and Cooke Inc. CEO Glenn Cooke are pushing back against a proposal for a new marine protected area (MPA) they both say will negatively impact the aquaculture and fisheries industries in the Canadian province. Canada’s federal government has proposed a new National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) for the South Coast Fjords area, located on the southwest coast of the island of Newfoundland. The study for the new NMCA covers 9,112 square kilometers, and the feasibility of the project is currently being assessed by the government. According to Parks Canada, the Canadian government, the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Miawpukek First Nation, the Qalipu First Nation, and the town of Burgeo signed a memorandum of understanding in June 2023 to begin assessing the feasibility of the new conservation area. “This ecologically rich marine environment is a productive marine ecosystem and biodiversity hotspot,” Parks Canada ...