Minister Launches the New Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy

• One of its key actions is development of the Sector Innovation Hub for applied research, innovation, technology adoption and commercialization support, with a budget of USD 1.07 million for 2026-2027

Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, released some days ago the new Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy, at the facilities of the company Sea Star Seafoods, in Clark’s Harbour, Shelburne County. The three-year strategy aims to help seafood businesses respond to challenges including rising costs, labor shortages and global trade uncertainty. According to them, the Strategy will help the industry adapt, compete and create more economic benefit for Nova Scotians.

Nova Scotia’s new seafood sector strategy is built around four pillars: industry growth and innovation, market and product diversification, operational efficiency, and communications and collaboration, they reported.

“The seafood sector is one of our strongest natural assets and has enormous potential to grow,” said Smith. “This strategy provides a clear and practical road map to improve services, strengthen partnerships, expand market opportunities and better support businesses across the seafood sector,” he added.

For his part, Kris Vascotto, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance, said: “The Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy clearly moves Nova Scotia’s fish and seafood industry from the side of the table to the center of the plate. The strategy illustrates a crisp vision for the future of the sector and delivers a clear path for both government and industry to achieve prosperity for all Nova Scotians.”

Key Actions

Some of the key actions of the Strategy are launching the Seafood Sector Innovation Hub for applied research, innovation, technology adoption and commercialization support; the 2026-2027 budget includes USD 1.07 million this year and ongoing annual funding for this priority commitment; and improve of programs and funding to grow sector innovation, efficiency and resilience.

Other keys are the grow of Nova Scotia aquaculture sector; provide support for product diversification, value-added processing and full product utilization; offer expanded market diversification funding and supports; the 2026-2027 budget includes USD 2.84 million over three years for this priority commitment; improve processes, policies and workflows to support faster approvals; and improve communication of services and supports for the seafood sector too.

Four Pillars

As said, the strategy clearly defines specific roles for the government and opportunities for industry and is built around four pillars: industry growth and innovation, market and product diversification, operational efficiency, and communications and collaboration.

Research, sector analysis and input from industry representatives, partners and stakeholders helped shape the plan. It reflects a shared goal of a seafood industry that is diverse, efficient, resilient and known worldwide for premium quality and sustainability.

Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation

Seafood is Nova Scotia’s top export industry; it employed about 19,000 people in 2025, when Nova Scotia seafood exports were worth about USD 1.56 billion.

In that sense, Kerry Cunningham, sales-procurement, Sea Star Seafoods, and director of Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance declared: “This strategy recognizes that Nova Scotia’s seafood sector can’t rely on doing things the way we did 20 years ago. Investments in automation, innovation, market diversification and workforce development are essential if we’re going to remain globally competitive. The sector supports thousands of families in rural Nova Scotia, and continues creating opportunities for the next generation and ensuring Nova Scotia remains a global leader in premium seafood. Ultimately, we have to move fast and together.”

For his part, Jeff Bishop, Executive Director of the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia assured: “AANS is pleased to see the release of a Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy focused on growth, innovation, diversification and efficiency. Work in these areas will help unlock the untapped potential of the aquaculture sector in our province and our region.”