Brian Chow / CC
A company proposing to construct a salmon farm in South Bruce Peninsula near Colpoy’s Bay is holding an information session tomorrow.
It’s one of two planned this month. Another one is being held on Dec. 14.
CEO of Georgian Bay Salmon Gerry Sullivan says the sessions will involve updates to the studies the company is conducting and what the overall plan is for the fish farm.
Sullivan describes the project as a land based salmon farm facility, generating a production of 15,000 metric tonnes of salmon, once at full capacity.
The facility will be able to grow the fish on land in a bio-secure facility, using technology developed by an Israeli firm that has been proven to grow hormone and antibiotic free fish.
“It is an interesting project that we are very excited for, we have been working in the background for the last number of years developing the details, identify the technology and be able to get to a point to be able to complete the environmental study, to ensure it is a good fit for the region,” says Sullivan. “Those studies have been going on since early spring, and they will conclude early in the new year at which point we will have a second round of information sessions to provide.”
Sullivan says the data collection has gone well as they have been using a third party Ontario firm, who will be the ones presenting the information at the sessions.
Sullivan says no date has been established for when the fish farm may be up and running, as the regulatory process is still ongoing.
“The regulatory process is not one that happens overnight, it’s not a January break ground sort of concept, it’s a looking at this over the fall, winter and spring, and if everything goes well and it aligns, then we hope to move forward with this project in the 2022 calendar year,” says Sullivan.
Sullivan says they are seeing the demand for fresh seafood increase by 10 per cent every year, and the supply is only increasing by three.
The information sessions will be held at the Wiarton Propeller Club from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 and Dec. 14.