Bays West Expansion Announced for Newfoundland

Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

April 26, 2022

The Honourable Derrick Bragg, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, today announced that Grieg Seafood Newfoundland is the successful proponent of the Provincial Government’s recent Expression of Interest process for potential aquaculture development on the province’s southwest coast. Minister Bragg made the announcement in Burgeo with the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology and MHA for Burgeo-La Poile.

Grieg Seafood Newfoundland was the highest ranked proponent in a thorough, multi-phase procurement process to seek Expressions of Interest, followed by Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals phases. The Provincial Government engaged a third-party fairness advisor to guide the procurement process and to ensure it was transparent and non-biased.

The Provincial Government will now begin discussions on a Memorandum of Understanding with Grieg Seafood Newfoundland, which will lay out time-bound milestones the company must meet when developing this area.

The bays west area, from Bay d’Espoir west towards Burgeo and Port-aux-Basques, has the potential to produce 15,000 to 20,000 metric tonnes of Atlantic salmon and create employment and economic development, particularly on the island’s southwest coast.

Quotes
“Our government recognizes that a sustainable aquaculture sector is an important part of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to food self-sufficiency and economic development, in particular in rural regions. Based on Grieg Seafood Newfoundland’s actions to date and its strong proposal for this area, we anticipate it will uphold its commitment to support local jobs, economic development, and the highest standards of environmental sustainability. We look forward to working with the company as it maps out the future development of the bays west region.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

“This exciting announcement represents a tremendous investment in our communities and our way of life. We look forward to working with Grieg Seafood Newfoundland, so that all can enjoy a future of prosperity for this area, and for Newfoundland and Labrador as a whole.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
MHA for Burgeo-La Poile

“Grieg Seafood Newfoundland is grateful to the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and the communities of bays west for this exciting opportunity. We look forward to start the process, where the next step is a thorough assessment to confirm the area of sites suitable for sustainable salmon farming. Grieg Seafood Newfoundland remain committed to develop our operations in Newfoundland and Labrador gradually and responsibly. We will continuously work to reduce our impact and improve fish welfare, and to create shared value with the communities where we operate. We strongly believe that the blue economy holds a huge potential for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador during the next decades, and it is an honour for us to be a partner on this journey.”
Knut Skeidsvoll
Managing Director of Grieg Seafood Newfoundland

“The NL Aquaculture Industry Association congratulates Grieg Seafood Newfoundland on this exciting milestone announcement for the province’s sustainable aquaculture sector. Expansion in the bays west area represents a key step forward in the growth and development of finfish farming in Newfoundland and Labrador. We look forward to working with Grieg, our membership, and all levels of government as we continue to sustainably and responsibly grow the sector’s incredible potential.”
Jamie Baker, Executive Director
NL Aquaculture Industry Association