Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore: Striving for Sustainability - Past Challenges, Future Opportunities

• How are communities meeting local environmental and economic challenges?• How do local conservation initiatives meet community livelihood priorities?Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore has fought many battles to protect its... [ view full abstract ]

• How are communities meeting local environmental and economic challenges?
• How do local conservation initiatives meet community livelihood priorities?

Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore has fought many battles to protect its natural resources and way of life. Community members will discuss these experiences, from rallying to stop open-pen, finfish aquaculture viewed as a threat to the lobster fishery and marine environment, to engaging in the protection of over 374 islands off the coast. The establishment of a large wilderness protected area was supported by many, but is seen by some as removing opportunities for access and economic gain. The community, spread along 150 km of coast is working to explore new economic models, while maintaining its lucrative near-shore fisheries and upholding its rural values. A proposed marine protected area could provide more certainty in keeping out unsustainable and overwhelming industrial activities such as open-pen finfish aquaculture, but there is uncertainty around what traditional activities should continue. How can community rural values that include access to nature and a healthy forest and ocean be squared with the need for sustainable livelihoods? The panelists will address how past successes have led to an increased sense of community empowerment, and how lessons learned from these challenges will influence approaches to a more sustainable future.
Panel Moderator: Sandy Moser, Sheet Harbour & Area Chamber of Commerce and Civic Affairs
Wendy Watson-Smith, Chair, Association for the Preservation of the Eastern Shore will outline the successful 2013-14 community-based campaign to oppose open-pen, finfish aquaculture on the Eastern Shore.
Stewart Lamont, Managing Director, Tangier Lobster Company Limited, will provide an industry perspective on the importance of a healthy aquatic ecosystem for sustaining traditional fishing livelihoods and commercial seafood markets, both domestic and international.
Sandy Moser, will describe Chamber’s pro-active role in community development and will outline efforts to develop Eastern Shore-wide sustainable tourism through the Wild Islands Tourism Advancement Partnership. She will also describe recent conservation achievements on the Eastern Shore by the Nova Scotia Nature Trust (100 Wild Islands Campaign) and the provincial government.

Karen Traversy, Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association, regarding a successful campaign for expansion of terrestrial protected areas.