Public consultations part of aquaculture regulations review

The provincial government is inviting Nova Scotians to share feedback on how they think the province can improve its aquaculture regulations.

A series of public consultations is planned during the next few weeks as part of a review of Nova Scotia's aquaculture rules. The current aquaculture regulations, developed following an 18month independent review, have been in place since 2015.

The public consultations on those regulations opened on Aug. 9 and will run until Sept. 6. Residents can provide feedback through an online survey with six open-ended questions.

An overview of aquaculture in Nova Scotia and a summary of the current regulations are also available to the public.

Both the survey and the guide are available online at novascotia.ca/aquacultureregulatory-review-publicconsultation/.

Fisheries Minister Steve Craig said the province has met with community stakeholders, industry representatives and public sector partners since December to get feedback on the current regulations.

Now, Craig said, the province wants to hear from Nova Scotians.

"You don't need to be an expert to be part of this process. If you live in this province and have an interest in its future, we'd love to hear from you,” said Craig in a news release.

Provincial officials said meetings with stakeholders and engagement with Mi'kmaq communities are also ongoing as part of the consultation process.

The Nova Scotia aquaculture regulatory advisory committee is directing the review.

Terrance Paul, chief and CEO of Membertou First Nation,

and April Howe, deputy minister of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, are committee co-chairs.

It also includes representatives from the aquaculture and fisheries industries, municipalities, First Nations, environmental groups and other community stakeholders.

The committee will consider feedback and public input in recommending to the fisheries minister potential improvements to the regulations.