Here's a report on the changes/impacts to the areas back East - generated through the fishermen's observations:
http://www.coastalcura.ca/documents/LEKStudy_2011_000.pdf
Summary
Inshore fishermen along the Fundy coast in Southwest New Brunswick have been the
backbone of the local economy since European settlement. They have also played a
significant role in the provincial economy, exporting herring, lobster, scallops and other
seafood products to markets in the U.S. northeast and abroad. Over time, however, they
have lost access to important fishing grounds through environmental degradation (as in
Passamaquoddy Bay) and to alternative industries. Most recently, finfish aquaculture has
played an important role in this displacement of fishing activities. Finfish aquaculture
sites have proven particularly incompatible with herring weirs, but other fisheries have
also been affected. A recent study conducted among fishermen in Southwest New
Brunswick recorded their observations as to the impact of finfish aquaculture on their
fisheries. Fishermen involved in lobster, herring, scallop, and sea urchin fisheries all
reported observing significant environmental changes around aquaculture sites. Within
two years of an operation being established, fishermen report observing that berried
female lobsters abandon the area, scallop and sea urchin shells become brittle, scallop
meat and sea urchin roe becomes discolored and herring no longer come into the area.
Aquaculture operations are also linked to lobster, crab and shrimp kills in the downcurrent
area. These and other concerns suggest that more comprehensive and detailed
studies are required to establish the environmental and economic costs of finfish
aquaculture, especially their affects on the capture fishery and the stocks on which that
fishery rely. It also points out the need for more effective, community-driven integrated
management institutions.
