Index: Editorial Bonnel Cove Foundation Land Protection River Denys Basin Baddeck & Area Tourism Association Roundtable On The Environment Taking Care of the Bras d'Or PHD. Thesis Proposal Bras d'Or Watch Alice Reed Art Show The Bras d'Or Stewardship Society A View From The Skiff Notice

Being an oyster fisherman, who fishes the Bras d'Or Lake from ice out in April until freeze up in December, I witness the slow demise of shellfish beds in the Bras d'Or Lake.

After viewing the attached chart, showing the closures of shellfish beds, it becomes most evident that the Bras d'Or Lake is not as pristine as I would hope. Various government agencies shoulder the responsibility for monitoring water quality and the adverse effects of pollutants. When bacterial contamination (i.e. faecal coliforms) exceeds certain prescribed limits, areas are closed by the Dept. of Fisheries for all harvesting of shellfish. OYSTERS.... MUSSELS....CLAMS. An interesting note about these closures is that not one bed has ever been reopened after it has been deemed contaminated!

Currently, there are numerous subdivision developments (30-40 house lots on 100 acres of previously undeveloped shoreline acreage) popping up along the shores of the Bras d'Or. The unregulated infill of wetland and siltation from road construction within these developments (ditches with no siltation barriers) creates a sore sight for my eyes after heavy freshets. Huge blooms of silt enter the Bras d'Or Lake turning the water chocolate brown. I wonder how effective septic systems will be on these creeping shore front property developments. Over time I have my doubts about maintaining our commitment to maintain a pristine Bras d'Or Lake.

Perhaps the quilt of the Ancient Mariner will awaken our conscience at the greed of modern man. Again I have my doubts.

The sadness in my soul sees the gradual destruction of the Bras d'Or. I ask myself if I will be one of the late oysterman to attempt to make a seasonal living from my skiff on the Bras d'Or.

Huge bulk carriers, now 600' - 800' in length, discharge their ballast water from God knows where into St. Patrick's Channel. Recreational boaters, with no holding tanks, discharge their raw sewage while at anchor and underway within the confines of the Bras d'Or. Often the boats lie over oyster beds located in the numerous snug anchorages which make the Bras d'Or a boaters paradise. The Washabuck, Upper River Deny's Basin, Malagawatch and the head of Baddeck Bay are just a few of those spots which suffer the adverse effects of polluting discharge.

All of us who care for the Bras d'Or must stand shoulder to shoulder united in purpose and commitment. Our only hope will be in assembling sufficient numbers with a unified voice. Government interests typically do not side with the protection of the natural environment. There are signs of change, but we must be resolute and stand fast. For we are indeed the stewards of what the good Lord bequeathed us.

Jim Crawford is a founding board member of The Bras d'Or Stewardship Society as well as a shellfish harvester.