Scotia Harvest Diversifies Portfolio With Acquisition of Established Clam Specialist IFP

Nova Scotia-based seafood company Scotia Harvest announced March 23 that it has acquired Innovative Fishery Products Inc. (IFP), an established player in the province's clam sector.

Scotia Harvest said the acquisition represents an "important opportunity to diversify its seafood portfolio," with IFP's clam harvesting, processing and exporting capabilities complementing its existing operations.

"Innovative Fishery Products has built an impressive business, and we see an opportunity to grow this business alongside our existing operations," said Alain d'Entremont, President of Scotia Harvest Inc...

Clearwater Dismisses MP's Allegations of Illegal Lobster Trans-Shipping in Area 41

Canadian MP Clifford Small accused Clearwater Seafoods of illegally trans-shipping lobster at sea to circumvent Area 41 quota restrictions during Monday's House of Commons Fisheries Committee hearing, according to the Chronicle Herald.

Small told Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson that inshore harvesters witnessed smaller vessels tying up to Clearwater's offshore vessel Randell Dominaux to offload lobster, violating quota management protocols for the Southwest Nova Scotia fishery, the Chronicle Herald reported.

During the meeting, Small went on the offensive...

Atlantic Sea Cucumber Ltd. Assets Up for Bids Following Court Order

Following an order by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on October 2,2025 , MSI Spergel Inc., as Trustee in Bankruptcy of Atlantic Sea Cucumber Ltd, has been authorized to undertake marketing and solicitation of bids for the assets, property, and undertakings of the company.

Among these assets are the parcel and improvements comprising ASC's seafood processing facilities located in Hackett's Cove, Nova Scotia, and, for the purposes of this Sales and Investment Solicitation Process (SISP), the company's fish processing and resale licenses issued by the Canada Food Inspection Agency and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Seafood Trade Mission Builds Stronger Market Connections With China

A recent 10-day trade mission by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Kent Smith strengthened the province’s relationship with China, Nova Scotia’s second-largest seafood market.

It was also an opportunity to promote the province’s world-class seafood and support Nova Scotia seafood companies on the ground.

“This trade mission was incredibly important for our producers, for our economy and for nurturing relationships,” said Minister Smith. “Beyond promoting our high-quality products, we gained a greater understanding of China’s consumer trends toward...

Nova Scotia Approves 10-year Renewal for Cooke’s Kelly Cove Salmon License

Cooke Aquaculture’s Kelly Cove Salmon subsidiary has received approval from the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (NSDFA) to renew its Aspotogan Harbour fish farming license for another 10 years.

The salmon farm located near Saddle Island offshore from Bayswater Beach has been in operation for 30 years for the cultivation of Atlantic salmon, Cooke shared in a news update.

Cooke said the NSDFA underwent an extensive performance review, based on technical and biological assessments of the salmon farm, in line with regulations...

Nova Scotia Unveils Strategic Investments Fund for 'Big, Bold' Agriculture and Seafood Projects

Nova Scotia, Canada, announced a new fund that will support “big, bold projects” in the agriculture and seafood sectors.

“This fund is about supporting the people who bring new ideas to grow our economy and help businesses,” said Greg Morrow, Minister of Agriculture. “Agriculture and seafood are important traditional industries in our province. But we can’t keep doing things the same old way – we need to support fresh thinking and innovation.”

The Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investments Fund will support firms proposing large-scale projects...

Nova Scotia: 22 Seafood Companies Receive $1.75 Million in Climate Change Funding 

The Government of Canada has announced that 22 seafood companies and organizations in Nova Scotia will receive $1.73 million in climate change funding through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund.  

The three-year-fund, administered by Efficiency One Nova Scotia, is designed to help chart a path for the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sectors to reduce climate change impacts in the province to at least 53% below 2005 levels by 2030.  

Ranging from installing solar systems to implementing...

Cooke-Owned Kelly Cove Granted Expansion at Liverpool Bay After Week‑Long Public Hearing

Cooke Aquaculture-owned Kelly Cove Salmon was granted approval to expand its Liverpool Bay salmon farm in Nova Scotia, the company announced Feb. 17.

The Nova Scotia Aquaculture Review Board (ARB) approved changes at the site located offshore from Coffin Island in Liverpool Bay. The decision allows Kelly Cove to add six cages at the site, bringing the total to 20.

Kelly Cove has operated the farm for roughly 15 years in compliance with government regulations, Cooke said...

Nova Scotia Launches Compliance Unit to Combat Illegal Activities in Seafood Sector

Nova Scotia’s Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture have announced the creation of a new seafood sector compliance unit aimed at combating illegal activities in fish buying and processing.

“Our new compliance unit will target illegal seafood-related activities that negatively impact the sustainability of our resources and the safety of our communities,” said Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “As the regulator of the shore-based fish buying and processing sector, these inspectors will focus their activities on wharves and in seafood facilities...

Five Charged by DFO for Fisheries Act Violations

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) recently issued an update on its enforcement news page regarding five individuals charged under the Fisheries Act and related regulations. The individuals are known to authorities, having previously been arrested and charged for similar violations.

The most recent incident occurred on September 19 and 20, 2024, in St. Marys Bay, located in Lobster Fishing Area 34.

On October 9, all five individuals appeared in provincial court in Digby, Nova Scotia, and were each charged with one count of obstruction of a fishery officer, contrary to section 62 of the Fisheries Act.

Canada Designates First Offshore Wind Areas Off Nova Scotia Coast 

Canada has officially designated its first four offshore wind energy areas off the coast of Nova Scotia, marking a major milestone in the country’s transition to clean energy. 

The selected zones deemed suitable for potential offshore wind projects include French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank near the mainland, and Sydney Bight off Cape Breton.  

“The identification of wind energy areas off the coast of Nova Scotia is a significant step forward towards unlocking our renewable energy potential,” said Tim Hodgson, federal Minister of Energy and...

Recall Issued for Vicente Marino's Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil Due to Histamine 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Vicente Marino's anchovy fillets in olive oil due to histamine contamination.  

The anchovies were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and possibly other regions.  

The recall affects jars with a Lot # of 24171 and an expiration date of 12/2025.  

The CFIA says there have been reports of illnesses and is advising consumers not to eat, use, sell, serve, or distribute the product. The products...

Legislation Paving the Way for Offshore Renewable Energy in Newfoundland and Labrador Takes Effect 

New legislation aimed at developing offshore renewable energy in Newfoundland and Labrador is now in effect. Bill C-49 includes several amendments to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act (Atlantic Accord Act), including a plan to modernize the land tenure regime for offshore wind development.  

"Newfoundland and Labrador has an abundance of energy, including lower-carbon oil, and significant potential for offshore wind development. Establishing joint management for offshore wind and modifying the land tenure system for offshore oil and...