SPEC Headlines, Sept. 7, 2003

ECO project faces another major controversy
Charlene Eden     

    The ECO program, an experimental project that wants to raise speckled
trout in a sea cage in Brilliant Cove, has hit a major snag. The promoters
of the project have had to euthanize some 7,000 trout destined for the Gaspe
Bay because of an infectious pancreatic necrosis.  The new development is
the latest source of controversy for a project that has faced opposition
since the beginning.
    Promoters of the project, which include the Centre Specialisee des
Peches de Grande-Riviere, the Society for the Development of Maricole
Industry (SODIM), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods
(MAPAQ) originally planned to place the sea cage in the Gaspe Bay in May,
with the trout following a month later.  Opposition to the ECO program from
both local and regional organizations forced the two levels of government to
delay authorization for the implementation of the sea cage and the trout.
The sick trout thus never made it into the bay.
According to a report in the Soleil, Karen Lord, the new coordinator of the
ECO project, confirmed that the illness was found during tests conducted by
veterinarians.  Spec contacted Miss Lord about this new development, but
Miss Lord refused to comment on the issue, stating that no more interviews
would be conducted until after the project¹s partners met next week.

Murdochville's Economic Development Committee asks financial aid for alumina
project
Mayor Minville now talking about relaunching the town, after supporting its
closure
Gilles Gagné

MURDOCHVILLE - The Economic Development Committee of Murdochville asks
Québec and Ottawa a financial support of five to 10 million dollars in order
to establish a pilot plant that could help specialists verify if alumina
contained in a nearby clay deposit has commercial potential.

The mayor of Murdochville, Marc Minville, also the chairman of the Economic
Development Committee, believes that alumina could bring back prosperity to
his town, but he warns people that patience will be required.

Mr. Minville, who has been supporting over the last 18 months the closure of
his town in the absence of a major job creating project, seems to have
changed his stand on that point, although he explains that he was only
trying to get compensations for the citizens who wanted to leave.

Blue Grass Festival draws big crowds

    This weekend the Gaspesian British Heritage Village hosted its first
annual Blue Grass Festival, and by all accounts this will not be the last.
The three-day event attracted more than 200 campers who took advantage of
the chance to stay right on the site. Blue grass enthusiasts from Nova
Scotia, New Brunswick and even south of the border mingled with locals
amongst the large crowds that gathered at the stage near the Willett House.
Those entertaining at the event included Silver Fox from Campbellton, the
Canadian Grass Unit from Moncton, and the Silver Haven Cloggers from Petit
Rocher. Coupled with the festival was the Traditional Day during which
traditional activities were show-cased, including soap-making and an
old-time wedding at the Village church.  See this weeks Spec for photos.