If you have concerns about Geoduck Farming on the seabed surrounding Cortes, then please sign a petition at these locations: Natural Food Co-op, Squirrel Cove General Store, & Whaletown General Store.

10 CORTES CONCERNS re GEODUCK FARMS

1. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBOURHOODS are incompatible with large-scale 50-acre industrial geoduck operations along the coastline.

2. OCEANFRONT ZONING is currently AQ-1 for PASSIVE aquaculture with NO structures and NO mechanization, but Geoduck farming is NOT passive: it uses high-pressure water guns to blast 3 feet deep into the seabed. Geoduck farming is NOT structure free: it uses plastic “vexar” nets, tubes, bags, & concrete marker blocks. Geoduck farming is NOT free of mechanization, it uses power driven equipment.

3. COMMUNITY BEACHES potentially littered with the plastic debris from Geoduck structures after stormy seas, ruining the scenic beauty & recreational value.

4. PEACE & QUIET replaced by noise pollution with boat engines idling all day, running compressor motors to power equipment, plus diver intercoms.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE will potentially occur when the seabed is liquefied with high-pressure water guns during harvesting. Dr David Suzuki says “mining for geoducks is absolutely nuts”. These harvesting methods negatively affect the eco-system for oysters, clams, crabs, prawns, salmon, otters and seabirds.

6. FORESHORE OYSTER LEASES will be lower on the food chain competing for nutrients with millions of farmed geoducks.

7. SMALL BOAT ANCHORING is currently permitted in AQ-1 zoning, but Geoduck nets eliminate valuable shallow water moorage. Fouling anchors on 25lb cement block tenure markers, interconnected with sinking lines every 50 meters.

8. ECO-TOURISM may be damaged by industrializing the entrance to Desolation Sound, which has world-wide recognition by the UN as a pristine place.

9. ISLAND-BASED BUSINESSES may lose revenues. Including the shops, markets, holiday retreats, artisans, restaurants, general stores and others who depend on tourism income. Geoduck profits go directly to Argosy Sea Farms & Fan Seafoods in Courtenay.

10. PRECEDENT SETTING DECISION which could mean more Geoduck Farms surrounding Cortes. We have already discovered experimental test beds in front of south shore residents & along the seabed at Hollyhock.

According to the government there are 10 proposed "Phase 1" locations for geoduck farming include the islands of: Quadra, Hernando, Nelson, and Savary, plus Union Point in Baynes Sound on Vancouver Island, also Wilson Creek & Trail Islands on the Sunshine Coast.

You can help to Save Our Shores by signing the petition &/or express your personal view by e-mailing these key government decision makers.

Re: Argosy Sea Farms Application #1411185

Luigi Sposato, Manager Crown Lands
Email = luigi.sposatogov.bc.ca

Tom Yacyshen, Senior AQ Program Officer
Email = tom.yacyshengov.bc.ca

Also send copies of your letter to the following people who represent your voice on Cortes:

Jenny Hiebert (Cortes Area Director)
Email = brijenoberon.ark.com

Claire Trevena (MLA, North Island)
Email = claire.trevena.mlaleg.bc.ca