On the opening day of the provincial legislature Belliveau took advantage of question period and asked Energy Minster Richard Hurlburt why he is willing to ignore the opinions and advice of most of the major fisheries players in South West Nova, and continue a process that’s designed to lift the Georges Bank moratorium. Belliveau said that the Department met with the Seafood Producers Association of Nova Scotia and other fishing industry groups in July.
Bellivea informed that the reaction of the association to the Georges Bank issue was clear – they rebuilt the Norigs Coalition. It is observed that the Department of Energy is working with DFO to complete a study on the impacts of offshore oil and gas exploration on Georges Bank, with a completion date slated for December 31, 2009.
A science report is going to have a huge influence on whether Nova Scotia agrees to review the moratorium on seismic testing and drilling on Georges Bank. It is told that it won’t allow DFO to do an adequate job on such a complex and important task. Belliveau told that the Minister has to decide by January 5, 2010 whether they will start a public review of the oil and gas moratorium.
