News Release Archive
FISHERIES--FISHERY HIGHLIGHTS-1995 ------------------------------------------------------------ Fisheries Minister Jim Barkhouse, says 1995 was a good year for the province's fishing, fish processing and aquaculture industries. "The people of Nova Scotia should know that fish and fish products are still our most important export commodity, representing 26.6 per cent of total exports. New England is our biggest market but we are making in-roads in other key U.S. regional markets." "While we cannot turn our backs on Nova Scotians who have been severely affected by changes in the groundfishery, and programs to assist older workers retire from the fishery are now in place, we should focus on the many bright spots which characterize the fishery of today," said Mr. Barkhouse. "The department is working hard to help industry adapt to economic and technological changes which influence the way we do business at home and abroad. We should focus on positive developments which will pay dividends in the long-term." He said, there have been many milestones or "firsts" for Nova Scotia during the past year. For example, in January, a commercial shrimp trap fishery began in Canso, with promising results for inshore fishermen. The annual Boston Seafood Show in March opened new doors of opportunity for seafood producers, and a sea urchin workshop provided hands-on training for urchin harvesters, including handling and marketing advice. In April, the department sponsored a packaging seminar at the Yarmouth fisheries exhibition, and a decision was made to expand experimental aquaculture development in the Annapolis Basin. In May, province-wide brook and lake stocking programs were well-underway at some 400 locations. The inland fisheries division also worked with sportfishing associations and community groups to help organize numerous fishing derbies and competitive fishing tournaments. Summer is always busy for the marketing division, and this year staff travelled to 13 different counties demonstrating healthy and nutritious ways to serve fish. Mako shark was the biggest hit of the barbecue season. August was notable because a five-year, $10 million working capital loan guarantee program for aquaculture was approved by the government. In addition, the province's first comprehensive aquaculture development strategy was prepared and submitted for government and industry approval. Key contributions from technology and inspection included introductions of a mechanical periwinkle harvester, an on-board periwinkle grader, rock crab leg processing equipment and a Spanish mussel declumper. In September, Mr. Barkhouse led an industry mission to the United Kingdom and Norway to seek information and potential partnering opportunities for growers of alternate marine finfish such as flounders and halibut. October saw the introduction of a new mackerel filleting machine and tests were conducted on dissolvable mussel socks. The Fisheries Organization Support Act, a milestone for the province's 54 fishing organizations and associations, was tabled in the legislature Oct. 26. The first salmon were harvested from experimental sites in the Annapolis Basin, with very promising results for future development. By November, it was clear that the Area 12, Southern Gulf, crab fishery was a major success with more than 600 tonnes of crab harvested, with an estimated value of $4.5 million. This year, for the first time in many years, much of this crab was processed in Nova Scotia rather than trucked out-of-province. At Auld's Cove, the first commercial billfish fishery was conducted and approximately 500,000 kilograms were landed in the first trials. The fish is currently sold for lobster bait, and inquiries from Russia and China indicate there may be opportunities to develop a billfish food fishery. December's highlight was the seal harvester's handling course at the School of Fisheries in Pictou. The seminar was organized by the North of Smokey Fisherman's Association and the federal and provincial departments of fisheries. Participants were schooled about the history of the harvest, current issues, and professional harvesting techniques. A key feature of the course was the "training the trainers" module, enabling people to take information back to their home communities to broaden the base of professional seal harvesters. -30- Contact: Diane Kenny 902-424-0308 trp Dec. 27, 1995