Nova Scotia mill and fishermen agree to permanent injunction to allow strait work
The injunction was the latest round in a conflict over Northern Pulp's proposal to dump treated waste into the rich fishing grounds
PICTOU, N.S. – Nova Scotia’s Northern Pulp mill says a group of fishermen who vowed to prevent seismic survey work in the Northumberland Strait have agreed to abide by a permanent court injunction once it is issued.
The mill was granted an interim injunction by a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge in December to stop fishermen from blocking survey vessels it had hired to do the work.
In a news release, the company says the legal action has been resolved to its satisfaction through an agreement with the protesters and an anticipated issuance by the court of a permanent injunction that will allow its work to proceed.
In a short statement, the fishermen say they accept the judge’s decision in terms of the injunction and as a result have agreed to the issuance of a permanent injunction by the court prohibiting interference in the waters of Pictou Harbour, Caribou Channel and the Northumberland Strait.
The temporary injunction, granted by Justice Denise Boudreau, was the latest round in an increasingly tense conflict over Northern Pulp’s proposal to dump over 62 million litres per day of treated waste into the rich fishing grounds.
The company has said the effluent will meet federal regulations for emissions, but opponents say there’s a lack of firm scientific evidence of how the waste will affect the long-term health of the lucrative lobster and crab fisheries.
Northern Pulp is to return to court Tuesday to seek a long-term injunction.
The company is also expected to submit an environmental approval application for its plan to the provincial Environment Department later this week.
