Background Information

Aquaculture offers one of the best opportunities for economic development in coastal areas. The government strongly supports the development of this sustainable long term industry. In an effort to facilitate economic development while simultaneously providing information to the local residents and determining the level of public support, the concept of community-based review was initiated.

Regional Aquaculture Development Advisory Committees (RADACs) began with a pilot project in the Wedgeport and Pubnico area. The strategy behind such an approach was to obtain a vehicle whereby the developer and the community come to an agreement on the best way to proceed. The result of this process is then passed on to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture as a recommendation.

The Committee is appointed by the Minister and is composed of people who represent the interests of the area. This may include fishermen, aquaculturists, recreational boaters, waterfront landowners, business operators, local politicians, and others -- in shore, people and groups affected by the installation of an Aquaculture site. Representatives sit on the Committee for three years and may be appointed by the Minister on recommendation by the Chair.

Currently there are RADAC's in Digby/Annapolis, Wedgeport, Pubnico, Eel Lake, Shelburne, Mahone Bay, the Eastern Shore, Guysborough, Mabou, Isle Madame, Tatamagouche and East St. Margarets Bay. It should be noted that over time a RADAC Chair may become vacant if there are no new applications to be reviewed by the Committee. These RADAC's may have to be reestablished should an application be submitted for review. It is hoped that most areas with significant potential for Aquaculture development will form community RADACs. Areas not covered by a RADAC to have input through the public hearing process.

Committee members receive an information package prior to the RADAC meeting. This allows them to consult with others in their community. Then, at the meeting, the applicant usually gives a brief presentation before the Committee discusses the proposal. The criteria used by the Committee to review applications includes current uses of the water body, possible user conflicts, the number of leases already in the water body, and site location suitability (including local area conditions such as the amount of ice, water depth, exposure, prevalent winds, species, culture method etc.)

It should be noted that, following the RADAC meeting and before the site is approved by the Minister, the application is advertised in the newspaper to allow additional comments from interested parties that may not have been part of the RADAC process.