NB: Electricity ratepayers to be better protected
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Jul. 28/10
[SAINT JOHN, NB] – The provincial government is making a number of improvements that will better protect electricity ratepayers. Energy Minister Jack Keir, in making the announcement, said the changes will strengthen the regulatory framework of the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board (EUB).
“The New Brunswick government wants to ensure the EUB is equipped with the necessary tools to safeguard the interests of New Brunswick electricity ratepayers,” Keir says. “Combined with the recent decision to reintegrate the utility into a single company, these changes will mean NB Power will be a more transparent and accountable utility.”
Keir announced five key changes:
• all electricity rate increases, regardless of size, will need to be approved by the EUB;
• an appropriate form of regulatory oversight will be introduced for municipal utilities;
• cabinet will no longer be able to reverse or modify an EUB decision dealing with rates;
• utilities will be required to file annual capital spending plans to the EUB and obtain pre-approval from the board for projects that exceed certain spending limits; and
• the EUB will follow new policy objectives. They include reconciling the public interest, ensuring consumer protection and fair treatment of utilities, promoting sustainable development, promoting fiscal responsibility, promoting energy efficiency and promoting the use of electricity from renewable sources.
These changes were announced following public consultations that included the release on June 15 of an options paper, The New Brunswick Energy Regulatory Framework Options for Improvement. A review of those consultations, The New Brunswick Energy Regulatory Framework Options for Improvement – Summary of Written Submissions, was released yesterday. Both documents are on the Department of Energy website. The suggestions made in the summary document will help form the necessary legislative amendments to be introduced this fall.
“All electricity ratepayers in New Brunswick should feel absolutely secure knowing that any electricity rate increase has been thoroughly reviewed and found to be warranted by an independent board,” Keir says. “The EUB has demonstrated the necessary level of expertise, experience and independence to make well-reasoned decisions that affect both utilities and customers. Creating a stronger EUB means more protection for consumers.”
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Biomass/Sustainability/Climate Change
NS: “Adventures in biomass” may lead to sustainability dead end
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 27, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — In a recent submission to the Nova Scotia Department of Energy’s Renewable Electricity consultation process, Scotian Carbon Services expressed its concern about the government’s thrust to promote biomass combustion as part of its renewable electricity strategy.
The carbon management consulting firm’s submission explains that most international protocols for greenhouse gas accounting dictate that emissions from biomass combustion is accounted for separately from all other greenhouse gas activities. There is a growing trend among jurisdictions in North America and Europe to exclude biomass from their renewable electricity totals.
“The government of Nova Scotia has gone to a lot of trouble to craft a renewable electricity plan that will help them reach the aggressive emission reduction targets in their Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA)”, said Gay Harley, manager of Scotian Carbon Services. “It would be a shame if a significant chunk of their investment could not be accounted for as creditable emission reductions.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) dictates that carbon dioxide emissions from biomass be reported separately from all other scopes in official National Inventories. As well, Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment promotes the accounting protocol used by The Climate Registry as their standard for greenhouse gas accounting. The Climate Registry meets the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) criteria for greenhouse gas inventories. In that standard, biomass combustion is reported separately from other forms of electricity generation.
Scotian Carbon Services said it is important that universal standards be developed for carbon accounting, so that reporting can be compared across jurisdictions and so that targets and emission reductions have credibility and result in genuine reductions. Nova Scotia must design its programs and targets to integrate with domestic and international accounting standards.
“With the global practice to exclude biomass accounting from general emission reduction inventory, Nova Scotia may be steering toward a sustainability dead end in their biomass policy. The money invested in promoting electricity from biomass in an effort to meet provincial emission reduction targets may simply be wasted taxpayer resources.”
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, July 27, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] — In a recent submission to the Nova Scotia Department of Energy’s Renewable Electricity consultation process, Scotian Carbon Services expressed its concern about the government’s thrust to promote biomass combustion as part of its renewable electricity strategy.
The carbon management consulting firm’s submission explains that most international protocols for greenhouse gas accounting dictate that emissions from biomass combustion is accounted for separately from all other greenhouse gas activities. There is a growing trend among jurisdictions in North America and Europe to exclude biomass from their renewable electricity totals.
“The government of Nova Scotia has gone to a lot of trouble to craft a renewable electricity plan that will help them reach the aggressive emission reduction targets in their Environmental Goals and Sustainable Prosperity Act (EGSPA)”, said Gay Harley, manager of Scotian Carbon Services. “It would be a shame if a significant chunk of their investment could not be accounted for as creditable emission reductions.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) dictates that carbon dioxide emissions from biomass be reported separately from all other scopes in official National Inventories. As well, Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment promotes the accounting protocol used by The Climate Registry as their standard for greenhouse gas accounting. The Climate Registry meets the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) criteria for greenhouse gas inventories. In that standard, biomass combustion is reported separately from other forms of electricity generation.
Scotian Carbon Services said it is important that universal standards be developed for carbon accounting, so that reporting can be compared across jurisdictions and so that targets and emission reductions have credibility and result in genuine reductions. Nova Scotia must design its programs and targets to integrate with domestic and international accounting standards.
“With the global practice to exclude biomass accounting from general emission reduction inventory, Nova Scotia may be steering toward a sustainability dead end in their biomass policy. The money invested in promoting electricity from biomass in an effort to meet provincial emission reduction targets may simply be wasted taxpayer resources.”
Lewis Mouldings Grows!
NS: Lewis Mouldings increasing sales, adding new equipment
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Jul. 28/10
[WEYMOUTH, NS] – Lewis Mouldings and Wood Specialties is finding new opportunities and higher sales halfway into 2010. The manufacturer of finger-jointed pine mouldings and other value-added products has survived the recent economic downturn that has seen other similar businesses shrink or close.
As market demand rebuilds for its products, Lewis Mouldings is working to fill customer needs and capture a greater share of the market.
“We continue to run a successful business by employing hard-working people and staying focused on producing high-quality, value-added products,” says Jamie Lewis, general manager. “We are a family company in Nova Scotia and couldn’t imagine operating anywhere else.”
The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), is supporting Lewis Mouldings’ efforts to position itself for growth. NSBI has provided a $100,000 term loan for new equipment, including a large wood grinder, which will help convert by-products to fibre fuel. NSBI has also signed a guarantee that will enable Lewis Mouldings to increase its operating line of credit by up to $300,000 with its bank.
“Greater productivity, new market growth, creating good jobs and growing the economy are priorities that our government is encouraging and supporting,” says Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris.
“Lewis Mouldings is a great example of a Nova Scotia company finding opportunity in the global market and taking action to stay ahead of the curve,” says Stephen Lund, president and CEO of NSBI. “NSBI is working proactively with companies that are investing in market growth, productivity and competitiveness.”
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Jul. 28/10
[WEYMOUTH, NS] – Lewis Mouldings and Wood Specialties is finding new opportunities and higher sales halfway into 2010. The manufacturer of finger-jointed pine mouldings and other value-added products has survived the recent economic downturn that has seen other similar businesses shrink or close.
As market demand rebuilds for its products, Lewis Mouldings is working to fill customer needs and capture a greater share of the market.
“We continue to run a successful business by employing hard-working people and staying focused on producing high-quality, value-added products,” says Jamie Lewis, general manager. “We are a family company in Nova Scotia and couldn’t imagine operating anywhere else.”
The province, through Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI), is supporting Lewis Mouldings’ efforts to position itself for growth. NSBI has provided a $100,000 term loan for new equipment, including a large wood grinder, which will help convert by-products to fibre fuel. NSBI has also signed a guarantee that will enable Lewis Mouldings to increase its operating line of credit by up to $300,000 with its bank.
“Greater productivity, new market growth, creating good jobs and growing the economy are priorities that our government is encouraging and supporting,” says Economic and Rural Development Minister Percy Paris.
“Lewis Mouldings is a great example of a Nova Scotia company finding opportunity in the global market and taking action to stay ahead of the curve,” says Stephen Lund, president and CEO of NSBI. “NSBI is working proactively with companies that are investing in market growth, productivity and competitiveness.”
Farmers in Crisis
NS: Nova Scotia farmers are in ‘crisis’
By Chris Shannon, Transcontinental Media
Source: Cape Breton Post, Jul. 28/10
[SYDNEY, NS] – Farmers across the province are in “crisis” with incomes dropping drastically and fewer young people entering the profession.
A report released Tuesday by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is a joint project with the Ecology Action Centre. It indicates that although total farm cash receipts have grown by 11 per cent from 1971 to 2008, net farm income has plummeted 80 per cent over the same period. In 2008, farmers in Nova Scotia didn’t have a net income.
“Support for new farmers, existing farmers, I think that would be our real challenge to make farming economically viable here in the province so that young people want to get into farming,” says Marla MacLeod of the Ecology Action Centre and co-author of the report, Are Nova Scotians Eating Local? The report took a close look at the cost of food and what it might take to make a more locally based food system.
Based on a survey of household spending conducted by Statistics Canada, Nova Scotians spent about $2.6 billion on food in 2008. The report’s authors estimated that in 2008 Nova Scotians spent 13 per cent of their grocery budget on food produced locally. In 1997, it was 17 per cent.
The study examined more than 60 products and found that, on average, the food products were travelling nearly 4,000 kilometres from the farm to the kitchen table.
“There is potential for reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by switching to locally grown foods, provided they’re produced by methods of similar or increased energy efficiency compared with imports,” MacLeod says.
Joe King, manager of the vegetable division at Eyking Farms in Millville, says he has seen improvements in retailers keeping more locally grown products in stores across Cape Breton.
“There’s more ‘buy local’ over the last two years,” King says.
He says grocery chains such as Sobeys ship Eyking’s lettuce, cabbage and turnip to a main distribution centre in Debert, outside Truro, before returning to the island for sale in stores.
Among the report’s key recommendations is the need for consumers to ask their grocery stores, restaurants and institutions if they buy local. Farmers should “forge new, unconventional” alliances between health, environmental, social justice and anti-poverty organizations, the report says.
It also cites the need for retailers to begin competing to offer consumers more local options, and those companies should look to replace imported food items with ones that are easily grown in Nova Scotia.
The government should break down barriers related to provincial and federal meat inspection, and develop and adopt local, sustainable procurement policies that include targets.
In the beef industry, more than 90 per cent of the beef eaten by Nova Scotians is imported from elsewhere in the country, the report states. It says local beef production has “great potential” for improving soil quality and rejuvenating rural communities.
On average, 1.14 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions are created from trucks used in the transportation of every kilogram of imported beef. The report says the cost to the environment in beef imports is estimated at $30 million a year.
“People have gotten used to taking the first thing they see in the grocery store as opposed to shopping around to find some product that’s local,” says Donnie MacNeil, a beef producer in Point Aconi who sells his products directly to the customer.
A new seller at the weekly farmer’s market in Coxheath, MacNeil says it’s been historically cheaper to produce beef in central and western Canada due to lower grain costs. He says higher fuel prices will likely make it easier for small businesses to compete and make a profit.
“It’s going to get to the point where it’s just going to cost way too much to transport food. It’s going to make it a little bit more competitive for us with such a short growing season to compete.”
By Chris Shannon, Transcontinental Media
Source: Cape Breton Post, Jul. 28/10
[SYDNEY, NS] – Farmers across the province are in “crisis” with incomes dropping drastically and fewer young people entering the profession.
A report released Tuesday by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is a joint project with the Ecology Action Centre. It indicates that although total farm cash receipts have grown by 11 per cent from 1971 to 2008, net farm income has plummeted 80 per cent over the same period. In 2008, farmers in Nova Scotia didn’t have a net income.
“Support for new farmers, existing farmers, I think that would be our real challenge to make farming economically viable here in the province so that young people want to get into farming,” says Marla MacLeod of the Ecology Action Centre and co-author of the report, Are Nova Scotians Eating Local? The report took a close look at the cost of food and what it might take to make a more locally based food system.
Based on a survey of household spending conducted by Statistics Canada, Nova Scotians spent about $2.6 billion on food in 2008. The report’s authors estimated that in 2008 Nova Scotians spent 13 per cent of their grocery budget on food produced locally. In 1997, it was 17 per cent.
The study examined more than 60 products and found that, on average, the food products were travelling nearly 4,000 kilometres from the farm to the kitchen table.
“There is potential for reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by switching to locally grown foods, provided they’re produced by methods of similar or increased energy efficiency compared with imports,” MacLeod says.
Joe King, manager of the vegetable division at Eyking Farms in Millville, says he has seen improvements in retailers keeping more locally grown products in stores across Cape Breton.
“There’s more ‘buy local’ over the last two years,” King says.
He says grocery chains such as Sobeys ship Eyking’s lettuce, cabbage and turnip to a main distribution centre in Debert, outside Truro, before returning to the island for sale in stores.
Among the report’s key recommendations is the need for consumers to ask their grocery stores, restaurants and institutions if they buy local. Farmers should “forge new, unconventional” alliances between health, environmental, social justice and anti-poverty organizations, the report says.
It also cites the need for retailers to begin competing to offer consumers more local options, and those companies should look to replace imported food items with ones that are easily grown in Nova Scotia.
The government should break down barriers related to provincial and federal meat inspection, and develop and adopt local, sustainable procurement policies that include targets.
In the beef industry, more than 90 per cent of the beef eaten by Nova Scotians is imported from elsewhere in the country, the report states. It says local beef production has “great potential” for improving soil quality and rejuvenating rural communities.
On average, 1.14 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions are created from trucks used in the transportation of every kilogram of imported beef. The report says the cost to the environment in beef imports is estimated at $30 million a year.
“People have gotten used to taking the first thing they see in the grocery store as opposed to shopping around to find some product that’s local,” says Donnie MacNeil, a beef producer in Point Aconi who sells his products directly to the customer.
A new seller at the weekly farmer’s market in Coxheath, MacNeil says it’s been historically cheaper to produce beef in central and western Canada due to lower grain costs. He says higher fuel prices will likely make it easier for small businesses to compete and make a profit.
“It’s going to get to the point where it’s just going to cost way too much to transport food. It’s going to make it a little bit more competitive for us with such a short growing season to compete.”
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Clearcutting in Nova Scotia
Blogger wants to know: if you clearcut, are *all* trees in that area infested or low grade? And...how long would the Crown lands last? Where would the company go when the Crown lands are denuded? So is this sustainable? Trees take up to 60 years to grow to size. And, trees are the lungs of the earth.
Cutting down on clearcuts
NewPage readies for biomass hearings, pledges to reduce controversial forestry practice
By JUDY MYRDEN Business Reporter
Sat, Jul 24 - 4:53 AM
A harvester cuts wood in Rossfield, Pictou County, on Thursday.(Christian Laforce / Staff)
Paul MacDonald, a NewPage district superintendent, says there’s enough wood to fuel the biomass project.
AS THE DEXTER government considers putting the brakes on clearcutting, one of the largest forestry companies working in Nova Scotia says it plans to significantly reduce its reliance on clearcutting.
It’s another sign that Nova Scotia’s forestry industry is bracing for changes ahead of government regulations.
Derek Geldart, regional manager of woodlands for NewPage, an Ohio company that has a paper mill in Port Hawkesbury, defends clearcutting but says NewPage plans to reduce the percentage of its wood it acquires from clearcutting to 50 per cent from 67 by 2020.
"I think clearcutting should be done on a site when it is appropriate to do it," Geldart said. "I do believe clearcutting is an appropriate silviculture system for some of the forests in Nova Scotia."
This week, NewPage managers took The Chronicle Herald and the CBC into five parcels of managed Crown land that the pulp and paper giant has leased in northern Nova Scotia.
During the daylong tour of forest sites, NewPage tried to dispel the image of mechanized destruction of woodlands that clearcutting conjures up.
A Halifax public relations firm organized the show and tell, not to stick up for clearcutting but to defend another controversial aspect of forestry: the use of biomass, or wood waste, as fuel to generate electricity.
On Monday, lawyers for NewPage and its partner, Nova Scotia Power, will try for the second time in a year to persuade government regulators in Halifax to allow them to burn 650,000 tonnes of wood waste a year to generate electricity.
In May, a blue-ribbon panel urged the government to be wary of allowing biomass to be used to generate electricity because the resource may not be sustainable.
Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell has said he is not opposed to the use of biomass, but he is concerned about clearcutting and isn’t in favour of "turning the province into a moonscape" to reduce Nova Scotia Power’s carbon emissions.
In the beautiful rolling hills of Upper Barneys River, Pictou County, the words "clearcutting" and "biomass" aren’t spoken with disdain but are considered viable ways of putting bread on the table.
NewPage says half of the 650,000 tonnes of wood waste it would need would be produced during the company’s papermaking and sawmill operations in Port Hawkesbury, where a power plant would be located.
The other half would be harvested, and half of that, about 170,000 tonnes, would be taken from Crown land as outlined in a 25-year deal NewPage reached with the Dexter government.
Nova Scotia Power has said the $208.6-million project would generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes annually.
Murray MacDonald, an independent New Glasgow sawmill operator, says there is "quiet confidence" in rural Nova Scotia that if the proposed biomass project goes ahead, it will be good for the sector.
"The forest industry in the past three years has been terrible," said MacDonald, president of M.R. MacDonald Holdings Ltd.
"This project may be the bright light that this industry needs. I think it will be good for contractors, truckers and landowners to get some management done on their stands."
If the biomass project is approved, MacDonald said, contractors would upgrade their equipment and workers could have steady employment.
"To grow our industry, we need a steady stream and an outlet for low-grade hardwoods, and this biomass project is an outlet we need here in Nova Scotia," said MacDonald, whose company has been in operation for 16 years and employs 10 to 12 people.
In a forest stand in Rossfield, Pictou County, Paul MacDonald, NewPage’s district superintendent for Pictou County and St. Mary’s, explains that there is enough wood waste in Nova Scotia forests to fuel the proposed power plant.
The 20-year forestry veteran said the waste wood used would include low-grade material not sold commercially, such as insect- or storm-damaged wood, over-mature hardwood with rot, and other deformed or low-quality hardwood.
"We have a long-term forest management plan, the plan has been verified by third-party audits (and) the province, and when they run the model, it shows we have more than enough growing currently in forests today to sustain the biomass project that has been proposed," MacDonald said.
( jmyrden@herald.ca)
Cutting down on clearcuts
NewPage readies for biomass hearings, pledges to reduce controversial forestry practice
By JUDY MYRDEN Business Reporter
Sat, Jul 24 - 4:53 AM
A harvester cuts wood in Rossfield, Pictou County, on Thursday.(Christian Laforce / Staff)
Paul MacDonald, a NewPage district superintendent, says there’s enough wood to fuel the biomass project.
AS THE DEXTER government considers putting the brakes on clearcutting, one of the largest forestry companies working in Nova Scotia says it plans to significantly reduce its reliance on clearcutting.
It’s another sign that Nova Scotia’s forestry industry is bracing for changes ahead of government regulations.
Derek Geldart, regional manager of woodlands for NewPage, an Ohio company that has a paper mill in Port Hawkesbury, defends clearcutting but says NewPage plans to reduce the percentage of its wood it acquires from clearcutting to 50 per cent from 67 by 2020.
"I think clearcutting should be done on a site when it is appropriate to do it," Geldart said. "I do believe clearcutting is an appropriate silviculture system for some of the forests in Nova Scotia."
This week, NewPage managers took The Chronicle Herald and the CBC into five parcels of managed Crown land that the pulp and paper giant has leased in northern Nova Scotia.
During the daylong tour of forest sites, NewPage tried to dispel the image of mechanized destruction of woodlands that clearcutting conjures up.
A Halifax public relations firm organized the show and tell, not to stick up for clearcutting but to defend another controversial aspect of forestry: the use of biomass, or wood waste, as fuel to generate electricity.
On Monday, lawyers for NewPage and its partner, Nova Scotia Power, will try for the second time in a year to persuade government regulators in Halifax to allow them to burn 650,000 tonnes of wood waste a year to generate electricity.
In May, a blue-ribbon panel urged the government to be wary of allowing biomass to be used to generate electricity because the resource may not be sustainable.
Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell has said he is not opposed to the use of biomass, but he is concerned about clearcutting and isn’t in favour of "turning the province into a moonscape" to reduce Nova Scotia Power’s carbon emissions.
In the beautiful rolling hills of Upper Barneys River, Pictou County, the words "clearcutting" and "biomass" aren’t spoken with disdain but are considered viable ways of putting bread on the table.
NewPage says half of the 650,000 tonnes of wood waste it would need would be produced during the company’s papermaking and sawmill operations in Port Hawkesbury, where a power plant would be located.
The other half would be harvested, and half of that, about 170,000 tonnes, would be taken from Crown land as outlined in a 25-year deal NewPage reached with the Dexter government.
Nova Scotia Power has said the $208.6-million project would generate enough electricity to power 50,000 homes annually.
Murray MacDonald, an independent New Glasgow sawmill operator, says there is "quiet confidence" in rural Nova Scotia that if the proposed biomass project goes ahead, it will be good for the sector.
"The forest industry in the past three years has been terrible," said MacDonald, president of M.R. MacDonald Holdings Ltd.
"This project may be the bright light that this industry needs. I think it will be good for contractors, truckers and landowners to get some management done on their stands."
If the biomass project is approved, MacDonald said, contractors would upgrade their equipment and workers could have steady employment.
"To grow our industry, we need a steady stream and an outlet for low-grade hardwoods, and this biomass project is an outlet we need here in Nova Scotia," said MacDonald, whose company has been in operation for 16 years and employs 10 to 12 people.
In a forest stand in Rossfield, Pictou County, Paul MacDonald, NewPage’s district superintendent for Pictou County and St. Mary’s, explains that there is enough wood waste in Nova Scotia forests to fuel the proposed power plant.
The 20-year forestry veteran said the waste wood used would include low-grade material not sold commercially, such as insect- or storm-damaged wood, over-mature hardwood with rot, and other deformed or low-quality hardwood.
"We have a long-term forest management plan, the plan has been verified by third-party audits (and) the province, and when they run the model, it shows we have more than enough growing currently in forests today to sustain the biomass project that has been proposed," MacDonald said.
( jmyrden@herald.ca)
Saturday, July 24, 2010
St. Mary's Bay Off Limits to Clamdiggers
Toxins close shoreline to clamdiggers
Paralytic shellfish poisoning risk high in Digby County’s St. Marys Bay
By BRIAN MEDEL Yarmouth Bureau
Sat, Jul 24 - 4:53 AM
Federal fishery officer Leisha Clarke-Doherty posts a notice Friday announcing the closure of shellfish harvesting in St. Marys Bay.(Brian Medel / STAFF)
BELLIVEAUS COVE — All the beaches and shorelines of St. Marys Bay in Digby County are now off limits to commercial and recreational clamdiggers because the potential for paralytic shellfish poisoning has increased dramatically this month.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests regularly and issued the warning this week, federal fishery officer Howard Blinn said Friday.
"They test the clams," Blinn said.
The levels of biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning are extremely high, he said.
As a result, "all of St. Marys Bay . . . is closed for mussels, soft-shelled clams, bar clams, razor clams, etc."
Scallops are not included in the closure, said Blinn.
Fishery officers posted signs Friday morning on public roads leading to popular beach areas. The signs warn of the danger and prohibit commercial and recreational harvesting until further notice.
Toxins that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning are natural but sometime accumulate in bivalve shellfish, which include shellfish with hinged upper and lower shells.
"These closures are very common, especially in the Annapolis Basin," said Gary d’Entremont, the acting inspection manager in the agency’s Yarmouth office.
"They occur every year."
The toxins are produced as a result of a plankton bloom, he said. The agency will increase its sampling during the closure.
"We want to monitor how far it’s progressing," said d’Entremont.
In a news release, the food inspection agency said consumers may ask wherever they purchase clams or mussels if there is proper documentation to ensure that the shellfish was harvested from an approved or open area.
The agency has issued a fact sheet on paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning may begin within a few minutes of eating contaminated shellfish or may take up to 10 hours to develop.
Symptoms include a tingling or numbness around the lips that gradually spreads to the face and neck.
Fingertips and toes may also be affected and victims may experience headache and dizziness, said the fact sheet.
A person suffering from paralytic shellfish poisoning may have trouble breathing and seeing, and may vomit.
Medical attention should be sought.
In extreme cases, respiratory arrest and death may result within two to 12 hours after consuming contaminated shellfish, the fact sheet said.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning can occur in other countries and people should always be cautious when consuming mussels and clams while vacationing, the agency said.
( bmedel@herald.ca)
Paralytic shellfish poisoning risk high in Digby County’s St. Marys Bay
By BRIAN MEDEL Yarmouth Bureau
Sat, Jul 24 - 4:53 AM
Federal fishery officer Leisha Clarke-Doherty posts a notice Friday announcing the closure of shellfish harvesting in St. Marys Bay.(Brian Medel / STAFF)
BELLIVEAUS COVE — All the beaches and shorelines of St. Marys Bay in Digby County are now off limits to commercial and recreational clamdiggers because the potential for paralytic shellfish poisoning has increased dramatically this month.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency tests regularly and issued the warning this week, federal fishery officer Howard Blinn said Friday.
"They test the clams," Blinn said.
The levels of biotoxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning are extremely high, he said.
As a result, "all of St. Marys Bay . . . is closed for mussels, soft-shelled clams, bar clams, razor clams, etc."
Scallops are not included in the closure, said Blinn.
Fishery officers posted signs Friday morning on public roads leading to popular beach areas. The signs warn of the danger and prohibit commercial and recreational harvesting until further notice.
Toxins that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning are natural but sometime accumulate in bivalve shellfish, which include shellfish with hinged upper and lower shells.
"These closures are very common, especially in the Annapolis Basin," said Gary d’Entremont, the acting inspection manager in the agency’s Yarmouth office.
"They occur every year."
The toxins are produced as a result of a plankton bloom, he said. The agency will increase its sampling during the closure.
"We want to monitor how far it’s progressing," said d’Entremont.
In a news release, the food inspection agency said consumers may ask wherever they purchase clams or mussels if there is proper documentation to ensure that the shellfish was harvested from an approved or open area.
The agency has issued a fact sheet on paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning may begin within a few minutes of eating contaminated shellfish or may take up to 10 hours to develop.
Symptoms include a tingling or numbness around the lips that gradually spreads to the face and neck.
Fingertips and toes may also be affected and victims may experience headache and dizziness, said the fact sheet.
A person suffering from paralytic shellfish poisoning may have trouble breathing and seeing, and may vomit.
Medical attention should be sought.
In extreme cases, respiratory arrest and death may result within two to 12 hours after consuming contaminated shellfish, the fact sheet said.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning can occur in other countries and people should always be cautious when consuming mussels and clams while vacationing, the agency said.
( bmedel@herald.ca)
DSWNA News
Marketing Update from DSWNA!
In This Issue:
Opportunities:
DSWNA Marketing & Media Plan 2010-11, Booking Form
Explore Our Shores Advertising Campaign
Travel packages/Travel Deals
Special Partner Deal!
Radio campaign, C100
Telegraph Journal
Chronicle Herald
DSWNA on-line advertising
Maritime Travel Saver Program, version francais - FREE!
The Arts Map - FREE listing!
Municipal & Community Pages on dswna.com
The 2011 Travel Guides to Canada - deadline November 8th, 2010
Culinary Tourism World Summit - early bird registration ends July 31st!
Brides 2011-Halifax Bridal Show, January 23rd, 2011
Market Canada to Australia
Share Nova Scotia Favourites
novascotia.com - advertising opportunities
Adventures in Taste: How you can Participate! Visit their website for more information
* Please note: all invoices will be submitted to partners via email where possible
Recent DSWNA Marketing & Promotions:
DSWNA hosts CTV's Live at 5
Look Live at 5 YouTube videos
Explore our Shores campaign
Newspaper Insert
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Explore our Shores campaign
This campaign is led by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage working in close partnership with Destination Southwest Nova Association. This is a multi-phase advertising campaign, focusing on targeting the Maritimes, that captures a range/volume of activities in Southwestern Nova Scotia. Advertising is supported by editorial, FAMS, social media etc. all tied together by a micro site built to highlight experiences and industry packages, www.exploreourshores.ca.
Travel Packages/Travel Deals
Promote your travel deals and packages on www.exploreourshores.ca for $30 + hst. Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-3105.
Partner Deal
If a partner of DSWNA purchases a $30 Travel Package space on the exploreourshores website, DSWNA will post that package on www.dswna.com and novascotia.com (if not there already).
C100 & Exploreourshores.com Halifax radio campaign - August 23rd- September 1st
C100 is excited to partner with Destination Southwest Nova this summer to give our listeners an opportunity to experience all that Southwest Nova Scotia has to offer.
As partner in this promotion, you will be features in a 6 week campaign that incorporates an on-air commercial schedule, weekly contesting executions, and an online microsite (Exploreourshores.com) that will detail area interests and events and individual offers from the participating sponsors with website links.
The promotion will focus on the five participating partners highlighting their specific offerings through the high frequency commercial schedule. The experiences each partner offers, combined with the contesting and online info, will give people a reason to get out and experience the area ultimately building the Southwest Nova Scotia brand among C100 listeners.
Cost: $2,000 + hst
Deadline: August 16th, 2010
Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-3105
Top of page
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Telegraph Journal - August – October advertisement/editorial campaign
Building on visitor awareness as well as leveraging specials and value add-on's, along with commitments from the province in this marketplace, 4 half-page editorial (lure) focusing on attractions and outdoor activities, and a half-page of partner spaces will be purchased in the Telegraph Journal.
Insertion dates (week of): August 5th, 19th, Sept 3, 17th, 31st, Oct 14th and 28th
Cost: $250.00 per insertion, 6 partners per insertion
Deadline: one week prior to publication
Contact:Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-
In This Issue:
Opportunities:
DSWNA Marketing & Media Plan 2010-11, Booking Form
Explore Our Shores Advertising Campaign
Travel packages/Travel Deals
Special Partner Deal!
Radio campaign, C100
Telegraph Journal
Chronicle Herald
DSWNA on-line advertising
Maritime Travel Saver Program, version francais - FREE!
The Arts Map - FREE listing!
Municipal & Community Pages on dswna.com
The 2011 Travel Guides to Canada - deadline November 8th, 2010
Culinary Tourism World Summit - early bird registration ends July 31st!
Brides 2011-Halifax Bridal Show, January 23rd, 2011
Market Canada to Australia
Share Nova Scotia Favourites
novascotia.com - advertising opportunities
Adventures in Taste: How you can Participate! Visit their website for more information
* Please note: all invoices will be submitted to partners via email where possible
Recent DSWNA Marketing & Promotions:
DSWNA hosts CTV's Live at 5
Look Live at 5 YouTube videos
Explore our Shores campaign
Newspaper Insert
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Explore our Shores campaign
This campaign is led by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage working in close partnership with Destination Southwest Nova Association. This is a multi-phase advertising campaign, focusing on targeting the Maritimes, that captures a range/volume of activities in Southwestern Nova Scotia. Advertising is supported by editorial, FAMS, social media etc. all tied together by a micro site built to highlight experiences and industry packages, www.exploreourshores.ca.
Travel Packages/Travel Deals
Promote your travel deals and packages on www.exploreourshores.ca for $30 + hst. Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-3105.
Partner Deal
If a partner of DSWNA purchases a $30 Travel Package space on the exploreourshores website, DSWNA will post that package on www.dswna.com and novascotia.com (if not there already).
C100 & Exploreourshores.com Halifax radio campaign - August 23rd- September 1st
C100 is excited to partner with Destination Southwest Nova this summer to give our listeners an opportunity to experience all that Southwest Nova Scotia has to offer.
As partner in this promotion, you will be features in a 6 week campaign that incorporates an on-air commercial schedule, weekly contesting executions, and an online microsite (Exploreourshores.com) that will detail area interests and events and individual offers from the participating sponsors with website links.
The promotion will focus on the five participating partners highlighting their specific offerings through the high frequency commercial schedule. The experiences each partner offers, combined with the contesting and online info, will give people a reason to get out and experience the area ultimately building the Southwest Nova Scotia brand among C100 listeners.
Cost: $2,000 + hst
Deadline: August 16th, 2010
Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-3105
Top of page
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Telegraph Journal - August – October advertisement/editorial campaign
Building on visitor awareness as well as leveraging specials and value add-on's, along with commitments from the province in this marketplace, 4 half-page editorial (lure) focusing on attractions and outdoor activities, and a half-page of partner spaces will be purchased in the Telegraph Journal.
Insertion dates (week of): August 5th, 19th, Sept 3, 17th, 31st, Oct 14th and 28th
Cost: $250.00 per insertion, 6 partners per insertion
Deadline: one week prior to publication
Contact:Contact: Liz Morine, lmorine@dswna.com, 365-
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