Why has aquaculture become increasingly important in Nova Scotia?

Aquaculture has become an increasingly significant facet of the fishing industry in Nova Scotia primarily as a response to the decline of traditional wild-capture fisheries.1

The traditional fishing sector in the region has faced severe challenges, most notably the near-complete destruction of cod stocks, which decimated a major component of the industry. Across the broader Atlantic region, many key fish populations have been pushed to or near collapse due to intensive overfishing, leading to a reliance on government regulation and support to manage volatile stocks.123

In this context, aquaculture serves as a vital supplement to wild fisheries. By utilizing hatcheries and controlled environments to produce species such as Atlantic salmon, trout, mussels, and oysters, the province can maintain food production and economic stability despite the fluctuations and depletion of natural marine resources.23