Investing in Innovative Fisheries Projects

The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries invests more than $250,000 each year to help see innovative fisheries- related ideas become reality.

Staff in the department's innovations branch develop programs to enhance technology within the fishing industry by focusing on fish harvesting, processing, aquaculture development and coastal community programs to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

"With the ever-changing climate in the fishery, every opportunity must be optimized," said Gordon Balser, Minister of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. "The development projects promote self-sufficiency and community management."

Last year, 24 projects -- designed to do everything from improving safety on public wharves to conducting lobster larval drift studies -- were completed.

At least 20 projects are expected to be completed this year. Some of these projects involve research on multinucleate sphere X (MSX) parasites found in oysters, lobster larval tagging studies, work on red abalone aquaculture production and funding of research for spawning and rearing European oysters.

Investments in these projects help create jobs and prosperity in rural Nova Scotia.

"Last year, we assisted with the construction of a haul-out in West Head, Cape Sable Island, one of the busiest areas of the province," said Marshall Giles, manager of field services and innovations, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Work on infrastructure like haul-outs, which allow vessel operators a central and efficient place to get their vessels in and out of the water, is critical to the industry. "This year we expect to assist with about 10 haul-outs for sport and commercial fishing vessels as well as many other research studies."

The department provides technical and financial support to fisheries/aquaculture associations and fishermen through cost- shared, customer-led development programs.

For more information on these programs see the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/marine/techdev/index.htm .