Aquaculture regulatory review

Government is conducting a regulatory review of Nova Scotia's aquaculture regulations. The goal is to identify ways to improve the regulations, so they support the low-impact, sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry.

Government is engaging with stakeholders and the public to collect their input on the regulations. The Aquaculture Regulatory Advisory Committee will consider findings from the review process, including the public consultation survey, and make recommendations to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Review process

The regulatory review is underway. Recommendations from the review are expected later in 2023. Changes to legislation and regulations are expected to be finished in 2023 or 2024.

Government has contracted Davis Pier Consulting to conduct the review. As part of the process, Davis Pier is meeting with internal and external stakeholders, including Mi’kmaq communities and municipalities.

After the engagement period, Davis Pier will share the input received from stakeholders and the public with the Aquaculture Regulatory Advisory Committee. The committee will then make recommendations to government for improving the legislation and regulations.

Review timeline and status

2022

• Information gathering and jurisdictional review
• Stakeholder consultation and engagement with Mi’kmaq communities (June to August 2022)
• Public consultation survey (August to September 2022)
• Meetings of the Aquaculture Regulatory Advisory Committee (June to December 2022)

2023 to 2024

• Meeting of the Advisory Committee (January 2023)
• Publish What We Heard Summary Report (PDF) from public consultation
• Aquaculture Regulatory Advisory Committee provides recommendations to the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture (March 2023)
• Department assesses recommendations and prepares legislative or regulatory changes
• Continued engagement of the Aquaculture Regulatory Advisory Committee
• Legislative or regulatory changes as directed by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Reports

• Regulatory Review: Final Report and Recommendations (PDF)
• Regulatory Review: What We Heard Summary Report (PDF)

Learn more: Aquaculture – Laws and regulations