Festival Celebrates Aquaculture Industry

Local music and farmed seafood will be featured at the 14th annual Aquaculture Harvest Festival at Waycobah First Nation, Cape Breton on Saturday, Sept. 24.

This year's event will be held from 1-4 p.m. at the We'koqma'q Mi'kmaw School, 80 Reservation Rd.

"This festival is a great opportunity for people in Waycobah First Nation and the surrounding communities to learn more about our aquaculture industry and to sample some of the products grown here in Nova Scotia," said Sterling Belliveau, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Aquaculture has become a major industry in Nova Scotia, one that supports good jobs in our rural coastal communities."

The festival features live local entertainment, an oyster shucking demonstration, an aquarium with trout and shellfish, and face painting. People attending will be able to talk with local aquaculture growers and sample local products such as trout, oysters, and mussels. Admission and food samples are free.

Mr. Belliveau will present a bursary to We'koqma'q Mi'kmaw School, which will be awarded to a graduating student pursuing a program that could lead to a career in aquaculture.

Atlantic salmon, trout, oysters, mussels, seaweed, clams, Arctic char and Atlantic halibut are farmed in Nova Scotia. There are 317 aquaculture sites in the province.