Op-Ed

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

With its abundance of salt- and fresh-water environments, Nova Scotia is perfectly situated to produce high-quality aquaculture products.

The cold, clean salt waters of the Atlantic Ocean provide excellent growing conditions for a variety of finfish and shellfish. Atlantic salmon and steelhead salmon (rainbow trout raised in salt water) begin their lives in fresh-water hatcheries at inland locations before being moved to ocean sites. And other species like Arctic char are grown to market size at fresh-water aquaculture operations.

Aquaculturists are legitimate users of Nova Scotia's aquatic resources, and take a very conscious, responsible approach towards environmental management. Since aquaculture processes rely on high-quality aquatic resources, producers have a vested interest in promoting and maintaining the quality and integrity of the aquatic environment. Like traditional land farmers, the aim of the aquaculture producer is to grow safe, healthy food in environmentally sustainable ways.

Every food-production sector on Earth leaves some kind of an environmental food print. Although aquaculture is no exception to this rule, it is generally accepted that growing fish compares favorably in terms of its relatively low environmental impact. And the aquaculture industry continues to work in collaboration with researchers, environmentalists and government representatives to reduce the environmental impacts of aquaculture production. An enormous amount of research and field trials are conducted around the world to ensure that aquaculture continues to progress in a safe, efficient and responsible manner.

To ensure that aquaculture was developed in an environmentally responsible manner, the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia recognized the need to introduce an environmental monitoring program and they asked my department to develop one. Aquaculturists demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability through regular assessments.

I am particularly proud of the work performed in this area by members of my department's aquaculture environmental monitoring program team. In 2007, they won the Premier's Award of Excellence for the development and implementation of the first comprehensive environmental monitoring program. Since then, they have employed it at more than 330 marine aquaculture sites throughout the province. The baseline data collected acts as a guide for assessing the environmental performance of aquaculture operations.

Our environmental monitoring program is recognized as innovative and effective by other jurisdictions and is one of the few monitoring programs that samples diverse aquaculture sites in a variety of marine ecosystems. The environmental monitoring team's work has generated interest from across Canada, and as far away as Chile and Norway. I want to assure Nova Scotians that my department is actively monitoring the environmental performance of all aquaculture operations and, if necessary, we will take action, in partnership with other provincial or federal regulators, to mitigate any potential adverse effects.

Respecting and protecting Nova Scotia's environment is essential. It's worth repeating that our aquaculture industry depends on pure, clean water and we are working to have a solid, sustainable and environmentally secure aquaculture industry in Nova Scotia.