Port Mouton, NS

Top environmental challenge faced by the community (currently or in the past 10 years):

A fish farm in the bay was seen to be causing pollution. The potential development of more fish farms was a threat of further damage.

How the environmental challenge has affected local livelihoods:

The local lobster fishery was seeing declines, considered to be due to worse environmental conditions as a result of the fish farms, i.e. pollution in the bay. As a result, fishers had to move further from shore to go fishing, reducing fishing time and increasing expenses. Tourism was also affected, as the pollution was unsightly, notably on the local beach.

Community response to the challenge, through environmental stewardship (conservation) initiatives that improve environmental well-being and support sustainable livelihoods:

The community formed a local organization, Friends of Port Mouton Bay, and worked with a range of scientists and other professionals to document the problem, and to develop strategies for solutions including lobbying, writing reports, etc. Whether as a result of this, or due to economic conditions, the fish farm is currently not operating. The community sees the local environmental quality now improving.

Extent to which governmental policy (at local, regional or national levels, as relevant) has supported, or been contrary to, the community's responses to the environmental challenge:

National and provincial government policy was focused on promoting fish farms, so despite damages to the coastal ecosystem and the fishery, there was little government support for the community (although the local municipal government was supportive).

Keywords: Ecosystem

Coastal, Marine

Keywords: Resources

Fish

Keywords: Big Issues

Pollution, Public awareness, Resource use

Keywords: Solutions

Empowerment, Governance/Management, Local/Traditional knowledge, Policy and planning, Public participation, User-rights

Contributed by: Tony Charles

The information provided and opinions expressed above are the responsibility of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views and analysis of the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN), nor those of all members of the community described.

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