Cape Breton Fishing Accident Claims Two Lives
Two Port Hood lobster fishermen died May 12 after their fishing boat capsized off the coast of nearby Colindale less than 100 metres from the shore.
Hugh Watts, 39, and Glen MacDonald, 58, were identified as the victims. Watts’ 18-year-old stepson was onboard as well, but managed to make it safely to shore.
Watts was a member of the fishermen’s association, which consists of captains in the Inverness County region. MacDonald was Watts’ first mate ― both men had been in the fishing industry for a long time.
Since it was a workplace incident, the RCMP have handed the investigation to the Department of Labour and Advanced Education.
Nova Scotia Premier Weighs in on Recent MPA Decisions
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil had some harsh words for the National Advisory Panel on Marine Protected Area Standards, during a recent presentation in Moncton.
He said banning fishing and other activities in protected areas could have a huge impact on rural and fishing communities, particularly those along the province’s Eastern Shore.
“If somehow our lobster fishery is affected, which has been done in a sustainable, environmental way for a very long time ― if it is affected, it would absolutely have a devastating impact.”
The seven-member advisory body is charged with coming up with advice on the rules for new marine protected areas. One of the areas under consideration is a 2,000-square-kilometre section of the eastern coastal region called the Eastern Shore Islands.
He also criticized the federal Fisheries Department for not consulting first with the province before designating areas as possible protected areas.
First Tenants Announced for New Ocean Hub
Ocean innovators will soon have a new place to work and collaborate, with the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship, known as COVE, set to open this spring.
Five companies have signed tenant agreements for the new ocean hub located on the former Coast Guard site on the Dartmouth waterfront.
Taylor Widrig, Halifax, is one of the young innovators that will work out of COVE.
Widrig is the founder and president of Mermaid Fare Inc., a company that specializes in the commercialization of seaweed. She started Mermaid Fare in 2013 and currently sells seaweed products locally and nationally.
“I am thrilled to be joining COVE,” said Widrig. “Working out of COVE will help my business continue to grow in an energy-filled environment. This is a chance for us to step up our game and bring Mermaid Fare to the next level.”
Other companies confirmed to work out of COVE include:
Kraken Robotics Inc, a marine technology company that designs sensors for unmanned underwater vehicles.
Sensor Technology Ltd., a designer and manufacturer of piezoelectric ceramic products.
LeeWay Marine, a marine services company that helps others conduct hydrographic and geographical surveying by supplying vessels and crew.
Dominion Diving, a marine services company specializing in commercial diving and marine towing.
Six ocean start-ups will also move into COVE’s Start-Up Yard incubator and receive business acceleration support from Innovacorp:
Ashored Innovations, an ocean company developing intelligent buoy systems that provide ropeless fishing solutions for improved operational safety and wildlife protection.
BlueNode, a company that simplifies data collection, analysis and visualization for the maritime logistics industry.
Happy Fish Technologies, a company developing a traceability system for seafood producers and distributors.
Marecomms, a company developing underwater acoustic systems enabling wireless communications over long distances.
Maritime BioLoggers, a company developing customizable, multi-channel data collection sensors to better assess animal movement in harsh environments.
Atlantian Acoustics, a company developing acoustic platform enabling wireless communications for autonomous underwater vehicles.
