Op-Ed

NOTE: The following is an Op-Ed feature by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Ron Chisholm.

Promoting the growth of a sustainable aquaculture industry is a focus of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The aquaculture industry is not well understood or appreciated, perhaps because the average person has little or no direct connection with the industry and its daily activities.

My department recognizes the strength and importance of the traditional fishery and as well as the importance of seizing new economic opportunities through aquaculture. A viable, well-managed aquaculture industry is key to ensuring strong, self-reliant rural communities for today and the future.

The aquaculture industry generates more than $42 million for the economy of Nova Scotia and, in doing so, contributes to the economic vitality of many rural communities. More than 800 people work in aquaculture on a full or part-time basis. The aquaculture industry also generates many more jobs in spin-off activities, from feed production to research and trucking.

Sound environmental policies and practices must govern the management approaches of all of our province's natural resources. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture works closely with other provincial and federal regulators to ensure that aquaculture farms conduct operations in a sustainable manner. With rare exception, we find that aquaculturists have a great respect for the environment as they depend on the best possible conditions for growing fish, regardless of the species cultured or the location of the operation.

Aquaculture is about more than fish. It is also very much about people. The promotion of environmentally sound and responsible aquaculture can contribute, in many ways, to social and economic development in rural areas. Nova Scotians know and understand the fish business very well. Aquaculture offers a tremendous opportunity to expand a relatively new resource-based industry by capitalizing on the traditional knowledge and expertise of Nova Scotians. That makes good strategic sense.

Fish farming plays an important role in Nova Scotia by supporting people's livelihoods and coastal communities that are dependent on fisheries for economic growth and sustainability. Adding fish farming to traditional fisheries in coastal areas diversifies our rural economy. This diversity has helped to ensure that the value of Nova Scotia fish exports have actually increased during the extended downturn within the groundfish sector.

The province is committed to supporting the sustainable development of aquaculture. In the future, it will be important to more actively engage citizens, stakeholders and the media to dispel outstanding myths about aquaculture and to better communicate how government departments regulate the industry for environmental sustainability.

A great opportunity exists for our aquaculture industry to supply an increasing demand by consumers here and around the world for safe, healthy, and high-quality fish products. The government of Nova Scotia is working closely with the aquaculture community to build the capacity to meet this important market opportunity.

By working together, we can find new and resourceful ways to help our aquaculture industry overcome the challenges it faces, and position Nova Scotia as a world-leader in the development of a sustainable, healthy and competitive aquaculture sector.