Bay of Fundy fishermen lose court bid to stop testing of huge tidal turbines
HALIFAX — Fishermen opposed to the testing of a massive tidal-power turbine in the Bay of Fundy have failed to persuade a court that Nova Scotia’s environment minister was wrong to approve the project they say is based on badly flawed scientific data.
The 175-member Bay of Fundy Inshore Fishermen’s Association had asked a Nova Scotia Supreme Court judge to quash Margaret Miller’s decision of June 20, 2016, arguing it was unreasonable.
But Justice Heather Robertson, in a decision released Monday, concluded that “extraordinary efforts” were made to evaluate the risks associated with the pioneering project.
“The project has not been undertaken lightly and follows rigorous ongoing evaluation. The minister of the environment is entitled to the deference of this court, in making these very reasonable decisions.”