The island

Letters raise opposing views on shellfish aquaculture rules

Two public comments recorded by the Local Trust Committee differed over proposed rules affecting aquaculture tenures.

The Denman Firestarter · reporting 2017-11-30 · compiled 2026-10-01

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Public comments at the October 3 Local Trust Committee meeting presented opposing views on proposed Bylaw No. 225 and aquaculture tenures.^[1]

One speaker opposed referring the bylaw to all tenure holders, saying an information note already made clear that tenure holders were excluded from the regulation. The speaker also wrote that a lack of ecosystem management, monitoring or enforcement by industry regulators remained a concern.^[1]

A speaker for the Denman Island Residents Association Marine Guardians Committee urged the committee to proceed with second reading and adoption. The speaker said shellfish growers had been consulted and enforcement officers could inspect tenures without driving on the beach.^[1]

The November 14 minutes record a representative of the Association for Denman Island Marine Stewards expressing concern that tenure decisions were being made before the committee received notification of applications. A trustee said the committee received timely email responses from Islands Trust staff after staff made technical comments to the appropriate agencies.^[2]

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