Nova Scotia is committed to a provincewide lobster levy to promote generic marketing and is also considering a quality pilot project in one region, supported by another levy.

“We are committed to a two-cent levy on Nova Scotia lobster landings to support generic marketing of Canadian lobster as recommended by the Maritime Lobster Panel,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell.

“This would be used to promote Canadian lobster as a premium product and to support existing markets and help develop new markets.”

Last March, Canadian Lobster Value Recovery Summit participants endorsed a Maritime levy.

“We are also in discussions with representatives of a region of Nova Scotia about an additional, region-specific levy of three cents for a pilot project to support efforts to improve quality,” Mr. Colwell said. “Representatives of that region are receptive to the idea, but it has not been finalized and will not be adopted without their approval.”

Details of the quality project levy have not been finalized. The department would present the results of the pilot project to the industry before determining if it would expand to other regions.

Legislation to allow approval of the overall lobster marketing levy will be introduced in the fall.

Source: Release