Nova Scotia Government Urges Safety As Lobster Season Begins

The Nova Scotia government is urging lobstermen to follow safety measures as their season begins.

“Boarding boats in the cold and dark, at the mercy of the weather and the sea, makes fishing dangerous work,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minster Steve Craig. “One tragedy is one too many, so we urge fishing captains and crews to make sure they follow their safety training and take every precaution so they are able to come home safely to their loved ones.”

Occupational health and safety laws require fishing crews to wear...

More Than $7 Million Going Towards 120 Projects To Support Increased Lobster Quality in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia lobstermen received some good news this week from the Government of Canada and provincial government. More than $7 million will be going towards 1200 Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) projects to support increased lobster quality in Nova Scotia through infrastructure, innovation and science partnership projects.

“Nova Scotia is known the world over for its superb seafood thanks to the commitment by all industry members constantly pursuing improved quality and sustainability of their product,” said Joyce Murray...

DFO Releases Atlantic Herring Management Plan in SW Nova Scotia, Bay of Fundy

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced the 2022 total allowable catch (TAC) for the Southwest Nova Scotia / Bay of Fundy Atlantic herring stock which came in at 23,450 tonnes.

The TAC dropped 33% from last year’s 35,000 metric tons. The DFO noted that the fishery directly or indirectly employs more than 1,000 people in rural Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and contributes over $140 million to the local economy. The species serves as bait for other fisheries like snow crab and lobster...

Missing Nova Scotia Lobsterman Found Dead in Sissiboo River

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed on Saturday that lobsterman Graham Cromwell, 48, has been found dead. 

Graham went missing Wednesday night after inspectors with the Fisheries Department attempted to carry out an inspection on four men who were fishing near Weymouth Falls. Three of the men were located and claimed to be participating in rights-based fishing. However, officials said that there was “no evidence” to support that. Cromwell was last seen jumping into the Sissiboo River by the Fisheries Department inspectors...

Nova Scotia Mining Company Hit with $125K Fine Under Fisheries Act

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) shared that Atlantic Mining NS Inc. (previously Atlantic Mining NS Corp.) pleaded guilty in the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia to one count of contravening the Fisheries Act and was hit with a CA$125,000 fine.

The vast majority of the fine will head to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund, with the remaining $5,000 being a court fine. The company was also fined $125,000 under Nova Scotia's Environment Act...

Nova Scotia Opens Public Comments for Aquaculture Operations

The Nova Scotia provincial government invited individuals to share feedback on its aquaculture regulations during a four-week public consultation period.

“Since December, we’ve met with community stakeholders, industry representatives and public sector partners to understand their perspectives and hear their thoughts on how we could improve our aquaculture regulations. And now, we want to hear from Nova Scotians,” said Steve Craig, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “You don’t need to be an expert to be part of this process. If you...

Nova Scotia Finds Success Promoting Lobster Online During Chinese Valentine's Day This May

Canada’s Nova Scotia province has inked a cooperation agreement with one Chinese e-commerce company Fishforever, and they have launched a two-month-long Canadian lobster festival from May to June on the virtual Tiktok platform. Live streaming is one key part of their marketing campaign, and great importance has been attached to the sales on the Dragon Boat Festival and that of another Chinese online shopping carnival on June 18, according to ifeng.com.

But even before these festivals...

Nova Scotia Launches Seafood Quality Certification Program with Multiple Companies Already Onboard

The Nova Scotia government promoted its Nova Scotia Seafood Quality Program that looks to highlight high-quality standards within the seafood supply chain and aims to enhance the province’s reputation for quality fish.

Already, seven companies are signed up for the program and the province encouraged more to follow suit. Sign-ups include the North Bay Fisherman’s Cooperative, NovaCan Live Seafood, Premium Seafoods Group, Lobsters R Us, Bill & Stanley Oyster Company, Live Stor Sydney - Live Seafood Storage System and Fisherman’s Premium Atlantic Lobster.

“By strengthening their quality standards...