The plan aims to strengthen Nova Scotia’s top export industry, which employed about 19,000 people and generated CAD $2.2 billion in exports in 2025.
Photo: Province of Nova Scotia / File.
The government of Nova Scotia has this week launched a new seafood sector strategy aimed at helping the Canadian province's seafood industry adapt to rising costs, labour shortages and global trade uncertainty.
The plan, launched on 24 June by Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Kent Smith, is built around four pillars: industry growth and innovation, market and product diversification, operational efficiency, and communications and collaboration.
According to the provincial government, the strategy is intended to help seafood businesses compete more effectively, create greater economic benefit for Nova Scotians, and strengthen the long-term resilience of one of the province’s most important export industries.
“The seafood sector is one of our strongest natural assets and has enormous potential to grow,” said Minister 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.”
The strategy outlines a vision and actions to strengthen competitiveness, respond to changing global conditions and support long-term, sustainable economic growth across Nova Scotia’s seafood sector.
Among the actions included in the strategy is the launch of a Seafood Sector Innovation Hub, which will support applied research, innovation, technology adoption and commercialization. Nova Scotia’s 2026-2027 budget includes $1.5 million this year, with ongoing annual funding, for the initiative.
The strategy also includes measures to improve funding programs, support innovation and efficiency, grow the province’s aquaculture sector, and encourage product diversification, value-added processing and full product utilization.
Market diversification is another major focus, with the province committing CAD $4 million over three years to expanded market diversification funding and support.
The government also said it will work to improve processes, policies and workflows to support faster approvals, while improving communication of services and support available to seafood businesses.
Research, sector analysis and input from industry representatives, partners and stakeholders helped shape the strategy, with the consultation process conducted by MRSB Consulting, the government said.
Kris Vascotto, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance, said the strategy gives the sector a more central role in the province’s economic planning.
“The Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy clearly moves Nova Scotia’s fish and seafood industry from the side of the table to the centre of the plate,” said Vascotto. “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.”
The Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia also welcomed the strategy, particularly its focus on growth and innovation. “AANS is pleased to see the release of a Nova Scotia Seafood Sector Strategy focused on growth, innovation, diversification and efficiency,” said Jeff Bishop, Executive Director of the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia. “Work in these areas will help unlock the untapped potential of the aquaculture sector in our province and our region.”
Fishing village in Nova Scotia.
The publication of the strategy comes as the Canadian province continues to emphasise the role of seafood in its rural and coastal communities.
Nova Scotia’s seafood industry employed about 19,000 people in 2025. Seafood is the province’s top export industry, with exports valued at about CAD $2.2 billion last year, according to government figures.
Kerry Cunningham, sales and procurement executive at Sea Star Seafoods - where the strategy was officially announced this week - and a director of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance, said the industry must adapt quickly to remain competitive.
“This strategy recognizes that Nova Scotia's seafood sector can't rely on doing things the way we did 20 years ago,” said Cunningham. “Investments in automation, innovation, market diversification and workforce development are essential if we're going to remain globally competitive.”
Cunningham added that the sector supports thousands of families in rural Nova Scotia and remains central to the province’s reputation in premium seafood.
“Ultimately, we have to move fast and together,” Cunningham said.
Earlier this month, Nova Scotia authorities launched a new seafood careers programme for schools, "Coast to Classroom", aiming to introduce students to Nova Scotia’s seafood sector and career opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, processing and ocean technology.
Last year, the government announced the launch of a new CAD 4.71 million fund to support "big, bold projects in the agriculture and seafood sectors", and also launched a new aquaculture mapping tool to help identify the suitability of coastal areas for aquaculture development for different species.
The full strategic plan, Seafood Sector Strategy 2026 to 2029: Vision for growth and modernization in Nova Scotia’s seafood sector, can be accessed via the Nova Scotia government website.