Amendment to Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act

An amendment to the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act will allow a financial contribution to be collected on the sale of lobster, if the industry chooses to implement one.

The financial contribution was recommended by the Maritime Lobster Panel and was supported by attendees at the Lobster Summit in 2014.

Under the current legislation, there is no authority to make regulations for a lobster financial contribution. Amending the legislation will allow the creation of regulations relating to the contribution.

“The lobster industry is an important driver of the province’s rural economy and is the strongest fishery in the province,” said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell. “If the lobster industry chooses to implement a financial contribution, in any form, we first need to amend our legislation to allow the province to collect it for them.”

An industry contribution could be used to promote and develop the lobster fishery, ensuring its exports are strong, for the industry and for the provincial economy.

Consultations were held across Nova Scotia between Jan. 20 and March 3, so members of the lobster industry could share their views on an industry-led contribution and discuss what it could be used for. Government found that industry had yet to reach a consensus about how to implement the financial contribution. Discussions will continue with industry so that they can chart a path forward. The report is available at www.novascotia.ca/fish .

Nova Scotia will continue to work with New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to ensure the regulations for collecting the financial contribution are consistent across the Maritimes.

Source: Release