It’s been six months since Nova Scotia MLA Steve Craig took on the Fisheries and Aquaculture portfolio.
“My entry into the world of Nova Scotia’s seafood industry has come at a very interesting time, a time of challenge and opportunity,” said Craig.
“And I am excited about it. I became minister in August and immediately toured multiple processor sites and aquaculture operations around the province, meeting many of the hard-working industry members who help keep the polish on our shining reputation for quality seafood. It’s been my pleasure to join in industry efforts to promote greater growth, quality and prosperity in our seafood industry, locally and internationally. I look forward to continuing working as a partner toward those goals.”
Craig said his mandate focuses on developing a low-impact sustainable aquaculture industry.
“Aquaculture represents an excellent opportunity to improve food security, lower our carbon footprint and contribute to our rural economy. It’s important to make sure it’s done in a way that does not hurt our environment or others in the fishing industry who rely on the same marine space. To ensure we find that right balance, I have asked for a comprehensive review of our licensing process and regulations, to be conducted through the Nova Scotia Aquaculture Regulatory Advisory Committee, made up of important stakeholder groups, industry and the Mi’kmaq.”
“We also intend to create a classification system rating coastal areas as green, yellow or red, depending on their suitability for finfish aquaculture. I’m excited by these mandate commitments; they’ll help Nova Scotia’s aquaculture industry grow sustainably.”
Craig also said the annual Minister’s Conference in conjunction with the Seafarmers Conference will be back in 2022.
“We are hopeful it can include both in-person and virtual options for participants, sponsors and exhibitors,” he said.
“Dynamic speakers and panels will bring insights around a common theme, Navigating the Future: Quality and Reliability Through Innovation. We have been planning for the two-day conference to once again be held at the Halifax Convention Centre on February 23–24, 2022, if COVID-19 protocols and public health advice allow. It will also be live-streamed and delivered as a full virtual conference experience. The conference may be offered only through the virtual option if COVID-19 precautions require. But, either way, we encourage people to join us for this great conference. It will focus on innovation through automation, climate change adaptation, traceability and diversification of our markets. Also, I will be proud to present the Minster’s Awards of Excellence.”
Craig said any changes will be posted to the conference website: https://www.perennia.ca/seafoodaans.
Craig noted that 2021 was a good year in the fishery.
Nova Scotia seafood exports as of October were $2.09 billion, a 23 per cent increase over the same period in 2020. Aquaculture production value in 2020 was $90.2 million, up 10 per cent from 2019 and it is expected to be equally as strong or stronger once the current year’s figures are collated and tabulated, typically done in the next year.
“In addition to supporting strong exports, my intention as minister is to help increase local seafood sales by supporting our Minister of Agriculture whose department has the goal of encouraging 20 per cent of the money spent on food by Nova Scotians to be spent on locally produced food by 2030. Our government’s buy-local initiative supports our industry, food security and our environment,” said Craig.
“I am hopeful 2022 will be a year of greater growth for our seafood industry,” he added. “Our government is committed to helping the seafood industry grow and prosper further in 2022 and beyond.”
Since taking on the fisheries and aquaculture portfolio, Minister Craig said he’s “seen a busy department with a very committed and knowledgeable staff working to help Nova Scotia’s fishing industry thrive, sustainably and responsibly. The work is ongoing to support Nova Scotia’s seafood industry so that fish processors and seafarmers can sustainably maximize the value of our seafood resources. This will contribute to our rural economy well into the future. I am committed to ensuring our department keeps up that good work.”
Craig was first elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Sackville-Cobequid in a by-election in 2019 and was re-elected in 2021.
