Nova Scotia fisheries and aquaculture sector pivotal to the economy
Canada: In a press release from Nova Scotia's Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, Ron Chisholm, he reiterated that Nova Scotia's fishing and aquaculture industries are key to the provincial economy and very important to its rural and coastal communities. These sectors provide employment and career opportunities that enable Nova Scotians to work in traditional industries, train in Nova Scotia and live in coastal areas.
Nova Scotia's fisheries and aquaculture industries are major contributors to the province's economy. While the industry faces a set of unique challenges, overall the forecast for this sector is bright. In 2006, the export value of Nova Scotia fish and seafood products was close to CAD 1 billion, with products exported to more than 86 countries worldwide.
The provincial government recognizes the importance of coastal areas and resources to the economy, environment and heritage, and is committed to having a coastal management framework in place by 2009.
The first of its kind in Canada, this framework will ensure a more co-ordinated and strategic approach to coastal management in Nova Scotia, and requires a balance of economic, social and environmental needs. The Provincial Oceans Network developed this initiative with representatives from 12 departments and agencies.
The framework will include a Sustainable Coastal Development Strategy and a first-ever State of the Coast report. Nova Scotians will be engaged in this process in order to position Nova Scotia as a leader in coastal management. Economic and environmental sustainability along the coast requires investment in a new way of doing business, one that takes into account all interests and uses to make good decisions for the prosperity of Nova Scotia.
This year marks the second year of the government's Select Nova Scotia campaign designed to promote local food products here at home. The government has invested CAD 700,000 in this campaign to date.
So far, 10 seafood companies have registered with Select Nova Scotia. Since the campaign began last year, there is rising support for buying local products and an increased perception that Nova Scotia grown food is of higher quality than imported foods.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture has also developed a trade development strategy that focuses on diversification, branding, coordination of trade roles, strategic alliances, market research and maintaining presence in strategic markets such as the United States, which continues to be the largest export market.
The department is committed to expanding opportunities in the European Union by continuing to explore opportunities in Germany, the Czech Republic, as well as other European countries.
It has continued to promote growth of the aquaculture industry. A viable, well-managed aquaculture industry is key to ensuring strong, self-reliant rural and coastal communities for today and the future.
Nova Scotia already produces a range of products including salmon, mussels, oysters, halibut, cod, trout, clams, abalone and marine plants. The province is home to one of the world's largest marine plant product manufacturers. Worldwide aquaculture now accounts for 45 per cent of our food fishery. By 2015, that number is expected to exceed 50 per cent. This figure speaks to the importance of the aquaculture industry and the opportunities available for aquaculture in Nova Scotia.
The pursuit of aquaculture development in Nova Scotia will continue to be undertaken in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. The department's environmental monitoring program actively monitors the environmental performance of aquaculture sites in Nova Scotia and will continue to, when necessary, take action to limit any potential negative effects.
The department is also committed to ensuring succession in inshore fisheries sector and working to set up a program to help finance fishing licenses for first-time entrants into our inshore fishery sector. The department is working to get the lending program established and it is expected that the first loans will be available beginning April 1, 2009.
