News Release Archive
FISHERIES--FISHERY HIGHLIGHTS-1995
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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.
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Contact: Diane Kenny 902-424-0308
trp Dec. 27, 1995