Canadian Committee of Advisors Support Ontario Offshore Wind Halt (Canada)

On behalf of the stakeholders committed to restoring and enhancing the fisheries of the Great Lakes, the Committee of Canadian Advisors to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) congratulates the Ontario government on its recent decision to defer development of offshore wind turbine projects until further scientific information is garnered, analyzed, and impacts assessed.

In June 2010, along with our colleagues in the United States, we asked the Ontario government to reexamine their approach to wind turbine development in the Great Lakes, and to their credit, they have done just that (attached please see the Resolution of June 2010).

On behalf of the Committee of Canadian Advisors, Dr. John Casselman of Queen’s University said: “Wind power on water, like water power, is an important energy resource that should not be developed to the detriment of another valuable and renewable resource – fish and fisheries. Considerable knowledge already exists concerning Great Lakes fish populations and fisheries, but not as it pertains to development of offshore wind installations. Prototype small-scale installations need to be specifically and adequately studied before any full-scale development is undertaken.”

Dr. Terry Quinney, Canadian Advisor representing sport fishing, added: “The Great Lakes are home to some of the greatest freshwater fishing in the world. It is vital that as clean renewable energy sources are developed, it is done in a way that protects this world-renowned natural resource and backbone to our region’s economic well-being.”

The Committee, representing recreational and commercial fishing, aboriginal communities, public-at-large, and academia, also reiterates that they would oppose the placement of wind turbines or any other project within the nearshore and offshore areas of the Great Lakes if they are, at any time, shown to harm the Great Lakes fisheries.

(marketwire)

[mappress]

Source: marketwire, February 25, 2011