6th annual Radiothon Food security Fundraiser started Olauson success pg. 2 pg. 3 pg. 5 pg. 6 Serving all of Charlotte County for over 135 years! 466-3330 www.exitrealtycharlottecounty.com • Home • Auto • Commercial Get 25 Quotes at ONCE!! Tuesday, October 8, 2019 173918 78 Milltown Blvd., St. Stephen • 466-3330 stcroixcourier.ca Volume 153, Issue 41 Undercover video shows abuses at Cooke Aquaculture facility Andrew Sutton tion from undue harm than vertebrate mammals - whose BLACKS HARBOUR reactions to pain resemble that of humans. On October 7, the non-profi t In 2013, the American Vet- animal protection organiza- erinary Medical Association tion Compassion Over Killing published new guidelines for (COK), released a video show- the euthanasia of animals, ing animal abuses at a Cooke which included the follow- Aquaculture facility in Bing- ing statements: “Suggestions ham, Maine. that fi nfi sh responses to pain The video, which has the merely represent simple re- faces of workers blurred out, fl exes have been refuted. … shows employees of Cooke the preponderance of accu- Aquaculture slamming fi sh mulated evidence supports against the sides of tanks, the position that fi nfi sh stomping on them, killing should be accorded the same them by slamming them on considerations as terrestrial the ground, and performing vertebrates in regard to relief “trick shots” with live fi sh in from pain.” outdoor tanks. In the statement, Cooke During the nearly fi ve says that they regularly val- minute long video, workers idate their internal best can be heard talking about practices through regulatory the conditions that fi sh are compliance and voluntary raised in, how underfeeding COK photo third-party audits, and that leads them to eat the eyes of An undercover video showing abuses at a Cooke Aquaculture facility in Maine, like this still showing a worker slamming a salmon against a they “encourage employees other salmon they share a tank wall, was released by the non-pro t animal rights group “Compassion Over Killing” on Oct 7. Although the Courier reached out to Cooke to speak up when they have tank with, and how spinal de- Aquaculture locally, the company declined to comment. any questions or concerns, or formities and fungus lead to if they feel that practices are high death rates. “They get lesions from were not shown the video, until it was Cooke says they will be working with not being adhered to. the fungus, and it eats away at them,” publicly released on Monday morning. the Maine Department of Agriculture “We understand that animal health said one worker, as the video cuts to still In the statement, which was re- to review and ensure that the practices and welfare are an important piece shots of adult salmon with bleeding leased after the video was uploaded to at the facility are in compliance with of raising animals. As a company, we open lesions on their faces. YouTube, Cooke is quoted as saying, regulations. place animal welfare high in our oper- The video shows fi sh which are “Based on information received from “We are speaking with all our em- ating standards and endeavor to raise deemed to be unfi t for consumption be- the department, and after reviewing ployees, and we will institute a rigorous our animals with optimal care.” ing thrown into buckets to suffocate to the footage issued today, it appears that re-training program at our Maine facil- The Courier reached out to Cooke death. One worker says, “It really bums unacceptable fi sh handling incidents ity.” Aquaculture locally for additional com- me out killing fi sh like we do. ‘Cause have occurred at the Bingham hatch- Mike Wolf, the Director of Investiga- ment, but they declined. they just suffocate. It’s so rough. Over ery. These are not our standards and tions at Compassion Over Killing, said [email protected] the years you kinda get desensitized.” will not continue. The Cooke family has “While the aquaculture industry sells According to a statement from Glenn been raising fi sh for over 35 years and itself as a solution to the state of our Cooke, the CEO of the Cooke group of we are not happy about this.” overfi shed oceans, there’s a big catch: $1.33 +TAX companies, on September 16, company “I am disappointed and deeply sad- Millions of farmed fi sh are subjected offi cials were contacted by the Maine dened by what I saw today,” he added. to conditions at industrial aquaculture Department of Agriculture regarding “As a family company, we place animal facilities like the one we investigated, a complaint related to fi sh handling welfare high in our operating standards where we found widespread cruelty.” shown in the undercover video at the and endeavor to raise our animals with While the debate over whether or not Bingham hatchery. They met with the optimal care and consideration of best fi sh feel conscious pain has been settled department at the hatchery on Sep- practice. What we saw today is most cer- according to biologists (they most cer- tember 17 to discuss the complaint, but tainly not refl ective of these standards.” tainly do), fi sh are afforded less protec- SOUTHWEST ELECTRIC FERRO • Residential • Commercial • Industrial PORTABLE WELDING FREE ESTIMATES Call (506) 467-8433 PHONE: (506) 466-5912 [email protected] [email protected] 173921 @ferroportablewelding 86 Hannah Road, Dufferin NB E3L 3S4 175184 2 | OCTOBER 8, 2019 NEWS Fall fever Drag queen Last game until MCAdam Fall Fever is taking place at Whistle Stop Park in November McAdam on Saturday, October 12 from 4 p.m. until 6 bingo is back p.m. This fun-filled afternoon for kids includes pump- kin decorating, apple bobbing, marshmallow roast- Blacks HARBOUR ing, face painting, music, and hot chocolate. There is ST. STEPHEN The Southern Stings will play their final game in no charge to take part in any of the activities. Drag Queen Bingo is back by popular demand in their Hive (Fundy Arena in Blacks Harbour) against St. Stephen for a special Halloween-themed event the Kent Koyotes until November on Saturday, Octo- at the Garcelon Civic Center on Saturday, Octo- ber 12. Warm-up starts at 6:30 p.m. and the puck drops ber 19. This promises to be a spooktacular night at 7 p.m. of drag performances, with a new twist this time: there will also be a drag king. Come dressed up in your favorite Halloween costume and enjoy a fun Fundraising evening of bingo and drag performances. Tickets are available now at Eventbrite.com, as well as OK Tire in Oak Bay, High Tides Records in St. Stephen, with cutlery and both locations of Something’s Brewing in St. Fire prevention Stephen and Saint Andrews. LUBEC, MAINE week The American Legion Auxiliary at Post 65 in Lubec, Maine is selling Rada Cutlery in support of veterans’ programs, and to fund the second annual ST. STEPHEN Children’s Community Christmas Party. These are It’s Fire Prevention Week in New Brunswick from high quality cutlery items, and are ideal for Christ- Online dessert Sunday, October 6 through Saturday, October 12, and mas gifts. Thank you in advance for your support. everyone is encouraged to plan and practice escape Talk to any Legion member to order, or go to rada- routes from home, school, work, etc. Remember, not fundraising.com auction every superhero wears a cape. Some wear firefighting apparatus. CAMPOBELLO The Edith Lank Memorial Christian Camp Win- ter Fund Online Dessert Auction is taking place from Monday, October 7 through Saturday, Octo- Library dedication ber 12 on the Campobello Buy & Sell page on Face- book. Auctions end daily at 6 p.m. The first item up Fall fair MCAdam for bids will be an apple pie baked by Sue Martin, The community is invited to join staff members and the winner will have their pie delivered by an CAMPOBELLO at the McAdam Public Library on Saturday, Octo- ELMCC committee member. Bidding starts at $15. The Campobello Fall Fair is taking place on Friday, ber 19 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. for the dedication of All proceeds will go to help pay heating and other October 18 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Campobello Is- the children’s room in memory of Doug Goss. Doug maintenance throughout the winter. land Consolidated School. Loads of fun activities for was an avid library supporter, as well as board the whole family are planned, including scarecrow chair for many years, and was instrumental in making, face painting, guess the pumpkin weight, a getting the grant to make the children’s move. The coloring contest, a chili cook-off, a musical concert formal part of the program will begin at 2:15 p.m. (admission by donation), raffles, a Scholastic book with refreshments to follow. If seating is required fair, and more. Carnival tickets are just 10 for $5 or 25 for anyone with mobility issues, please call the Li- for $10, and there are small fees for some of the activi- brary Manager at 784-1403. Flu shot clinics ties. All proceeds will be donated to the CICS Curtain Fund. SAINT ANDREWS Flu season is almost upon us, so it’s time to get your flu shot. You can book your appointment today at the Saint Andrews Health Centre for Tuesday, October 22 beginning at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Novem- Chase the Ace ber 5 beginning at 2 p.m., and Wednesday, Novem- ber 13 beginning at 10 a.m. Call 529-9120 today for more information or to book your appointment.