Nova Scotia District Mired in Conflicts of Interest Over Aquaculture Expansion

YARMOUTH, Nova Scotia - April 8, 2025 - PRLog -- The Association for Responsible Aquaculture (ARA) announced today that it has obtained evidence through Freedom of Information requests to show local oyster farmers and municipal staff fixed and rigged desired aquaculture locations in residential areas to the growing concern and disdain of Argyle constituents. The N.S. Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has based their application and approval process on the local bid rigging of these locations.  Further, no adequate public consultation has been performed to date on ADA locations.  (announced by MoDA Council June 2024 session).

The municipality for the District of Argyle (MoDA) and DFA continue to refuse public requests to resolve conflicts of interest and redo public consultation on ADA locations. Frustrated constituents attended a March 20, 2025 council session demanding Council to investigate numerous conflicts of interest and asked council to perform adequate public consultations.

At the guidance of the Warden and CAO, Council has now taken a posture to ignore any emails or calls on the subject of ADA and has not acknowledged or responded further to constituents. Constituents have presented a formal complaint and asked council to initiate an inquiry into the investigations under section 12 of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

Former Liberal Candidate for MLA Argyle, Lorelei Murphy says, ""Seeing local councilors refuse to represent and listen to their constituents is extremely alarming. I think it is council's obligation to hold an open and unbiased review of their decisions to this point and act accordingly moving forward."

ARA member Chris Thibedeau highlights, "It's clear now that the farmers cheated.  And the email evidence shows select individuals in MoDA helped them.  These are no longer perceived conflicts.  The evidence shows real and direct conflicts exist and they need to be investigated".

Evidence of Conflicts of Interest are available at this link. (6 presentations): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/juanrlvs5wszg57w8uyhz/AGfb...

About the ARA:
The Association for Responsible Aquaculture (ARA) in Argyle is a community stakeholder group seeking fairness and a balance of realizing aquaculture expansion in non residential areas in a manner that promotes Tourism and the local harvesting of seafood.  ARA is not anti-aquaculture.  The goal is to make sure the ADA achieves balance and offers a win for all stakeholders including industry and the public.