Gaspereau River fishermen concerned about tidal turbines
Fishermen worried the fish may not make it up the river if turbines are in the water
Some fishermen along the Gaspereau River are concerned how tidal turbines could affect a local fishery.
There are 14 active square net licences in the Gaspereau and Melanson area issued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Those fishermen catch Gaspereau, a species of herring, when they swim up the river from the Bay of Fundy in April and May.
On Monday night at the Gaspereau Community Hall, people in the area had their chance to speak to FORCE (Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy), the organization behind the tidal turbine project.
Meaningful dialogue needed
During a good spring, $20,000 can be made catching the fish. Fishermen jump off a plank and push down on a long pole that has a large square net on the end of it.
Most of the fish that are caught go to a wholesaler in New Brunswick who sends them to Haiti. But they are worried the fish may not make it up the river if turbines are in the water.
"We want to have some meaningful dialogue with Cape Sharp and FORCE about this project they're undertaking," said Chris Gertridge, with the Gaspereau Fishermen's Association.
"We have a lot of questions as to why we're never consulted."
Fishing for Gaspereau has a rich history in the Gaspereau Valley. Mi'kmaq were the first to fish the species, followed by Acadians and New England Planters.
Project on hold for now
Currently, the tidal turbine project is in a holding pattern and more consultation with fishermen along the Bay of Fundy has been promised.
Paul Laberge, director of Cape Sharp Tidal, said the meeting was a positive first step.
"I think we're always looking at ways to improve the process. So clearly there are folks here that haven't felt that they had been heard and we acknowledged that and that's why we called the pause, that's why we're going through this process," said Laberge.
Cape Sharp Tidal has not set a timeline on its pause, which will continue, Laberge said, until people in the community feel they have been heard.
"We need to make sure that whatever we do doesn't harm the ecosystem and the Bay of Fundy," he said.
"That's why all the prep and the study work has been done, that's why we have a robust environmental monitoring program and that's the basis on which we'll move forward."
Talks to continue
Two test turbines Cape Sharp Tidal wants to submerge for testing are massive, measuring five storeys, and could produce power for 1,000 homes.
But there are fears the turbines could have a major impact on the unique fishery.
Meanwhile, the fishermen's association said it's always had a good relationship with Nova Scotia Power, now Emera, over a power generation dam that has controlled water levels in the Gaspereau River for decades.
It's hoping it can continue to get regular updates before the tidal power project moves on.
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