Aquaculture Means Jobs and Economic Growth for Rural Nova Scotia

NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece by Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sterling Belliveau.

Recently there has been a lot of discussion and concern raised about aquaculture in Nova Scotia. You need to know that the province has regulations and environmental monitoring for this industry. It is difficult to name another industry in Nova Scotia so closely monitored and scrutinized as aquaculture.

Regulation and monitoring ensure aquaculture is practiced in an environmentally sustainable manner. Government veterinarians and scientific staff ensure that aquaculture sites are monitored and inspected regularly for fish health and environmental compliance. The environmental assessment considers everything, including recreational and traditional uses of harbours and waterways, potential environmental impacts and site selection to minimize any possible displacement of traditional fisheries.

Licences, terms, and conditions regarding the St. Mary's Bay application are posted on our website. We are sharing the information we collect regarding aquaculture sites. Laboratory analysis are available to the public on request.

Nova Scotians have been, and will continue to be consulted on aquaculture. People have the opportunity to provide input during community meetings, as well as the environmental assessment for individual operations. We also conducted a public opinion survey with almost 700 Nova Scotians. This survey tells us what people know about this industry, their environmental concerns, and their support for the jobs and economic benefits aquaculture creates.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing area of food production in the world. The aquaculture industry provides a great opportunity to create good jobs and grow the economy in coastal communities where they are needed. They operate year round and provide an easy transition for traditional fishery workers. Aquaculture also creates local spinoff jobs in fields such as trucking, packaging, metal fabrication, and research and technology.

Nova Scotia is positioned to benefit from this growing industry. The government is working on a strategy to ensure that aquaculture continues to expand and grow in a well managed way that will protect the marine environment and bring benefits to coastal communities.

I see a bright future for aquaculture in Nova Scotia. Aquaculture contributes about $58 million to the economy and provides jobs for 750 people. It has potential to become more than that and, as aquaculture helps meet world demand for healthy food products, we can create jobs and economic benefits in coastal communities around Nova Scotia.