Minister to Travel to Tasmania and Asia

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell will lead a group of industry representatives on an eight-day mission to Tasmania, Australia on Thursday, Feb. 7, to help build business relationships and learn more about best practices.

“Nova Scotia’s seafood industry is one of our province’s most valuable and successful resources,” said Mr. Colwell. “It is important to take advantage of opportunities to learn from other leaders around the world, so we can continue to build on our successes here in Nova Scotia.”

Tasmania has recreational, commercial and aquaculture industries including rock lobster and salmon farming. The purpose of the mission is to share ideas and best practices on sustainability, quality, safety and Tasmania’s clean green program.

The group will meet with Tasmania’s Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett in the capital Hobart, the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council, the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fisherman’s Association, the University of Tasmania and the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. They will also visit lobster fishermen at their wharfs, marine salmon farms, a salmon hatchery and a food tourism operation.

Eleven representatives from various seafood industries will also attend the mission.

Following this mission, on Sunday, Feb. 17, Mr. Colwell will join other Nova Scotia seafood companies to take part in the Pan Atlantic mission to Singapore and Japan.

During the mission, he will meet with key stakeholders to build trade relationships and showcase the province’s high-quality seafood through targeted business to business meetings. Market diversification will play a vital role as companies work to grow their business at home.

Companies will have the opportunity to hear directly from industry experts in each of the markets.

In 2017, exports from Nova Scotia to Japan were valued around $111 million, up from $62 million in 2009. Seafood is the number one export with fruit and nut products coming in second.