Registration Number: 1834

Placentia Bay Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Project

Proponent:  Grieg NL Nurseries Ltd. and Grieg NL Seafarms Ltd.

Summary of Environmental Assessment Process

Project Description:

The proponent is planning to construct and operate a land-based Recirculation Aquaculture System (RAS) Hatchery for Atlantic Salmon in the Marystown Marine Industrial Park and 11 marine-based farms in Placentia Bay.  The proponent previously submitted the Marystown Atlantic Salmon Hatchery (Reg. 1814) for review which is now withdrawn.  The land-based hatchery will produce up to seven million triploid smolt annually, which will be sold to salmonid aquaculture farms in the province and will be developed on approximately 10 hectares of serviced land.  The 11 marine-based farms will be located in four Bay Management Areas (BMA): Rushoon BMA, Merasheen BMA, Red Island BMA, and Long Harbour BMA.  Each marine-based farm will consist of multiple cages with cage collars at the surface and nets extending down to 43 meters. The Bay Management Areas will occupy 1,958 hectares of which 24 hectares will be occupied by the sea cages.  The project is scheduled to commence in April 2016.

  • February 19, 2016 – The undertaking was registered.
  • March 26, 2016 – Deadline for public comments.
  • April 5, 2016 – The Minister’s decision is due.
  • April 16, 2016 – Deadline for public comments (extended).
  • April 26, 2016 – The Minister’s decision is due (extended).
  • May 19, 2016 – The Minister’s decision is extended.
  • July 22, 2016 – The Minister’s decision date is set.
  • July 22, 2016 – The Minister announced that the project is released.
  • August 31, 2016 –  Appeal of the Minister’s Decision received.
  • September 29, 2016 – Appeal of the Minister’s Decision received.
  • October 14, 2016 – Minister’s decision on the Appeal.
  • October 19, 2016 – Minister’s decision on the Appeal.
  • October 27, 2016 – Conditions of release approved.
  • November 9, 2017 – The Minister announced that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) required.
  • November 22, 2017 – Environmental Assessment Committee appointed.
  • January 2, 2018 – Draft EIS Guidelines for public review.
  • February 11, 2018 – Deadline for public comments on the draft EIS guidelines.
  • January 31, 2018 – Additional Appointments to the Environmental Assessment Committee.
  • March 8, 2018 – Final EIS Guidelines Approved.
  • May 22, 2018 – EIS Submitted – Public Comments Invited.
  • July 11, 2018 – Deadline for public comments on the EIS.
  • July 25, 2018 – Deadline for public comments on the EIS (deadline extended).
  • July 31, 2018 – The Minister’s decision on the acceptability of the EIS is due.
  • July 31, 2018 – The Minister’s decision on the acceptability of the EIS is extended.
  • August 28, 2018 – The Minister determined that the EIS is acceptable.
  • September 6, 2018 – The Minister announced that the project is released with conditions.
  • September 28, 2018 – The Minister approved the environmental protection plans (EPP’s) for hatchery construction and hatchery operations.
  • October 25, 2018 – The Minister announced that an Appeal of the EIS Decision was received.
  • November 5, 2018 – The Minister announced that an Appeal of the Decision to Release the Undertaking was received.
  • November 26, 2018 – Decision on the EIS Appeal announced.
  • December 5, 2018 – Decision on the Release of Undertaking Appeal announced.
  • August 30, 2019 – The Minister approved the environmental effects monitoring plans (EEMP’s) for Sea Cage Performance and Benthic Habitat Health.
  • February 4, 2020 – The Minister approved EEMP’s
  • April 21, 2020 – The Minister approved EEMP’s.
  • June 25, 2020 – The Minister approved EEMP
  • July 8, 2020 – The Minister approved EEMP and Waste Management Plan

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