Nova Scotia. Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Other forms of name:
Nova Scotia. Department of Fisheries
Nova Scotia. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Nova Scotia. Office of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Until 1964 fisheries were the responsibility of the Minister of Trade and Industry. In 1964 a separate Department of Fisheries with its own minister was established to protect, conserve and regulate the fisheries and to encourage and develop the fishing industry. In 1983 the minister of fisheries assumed responsibility for aquaculture. In 1996 the Fisheries Act was repealed, a new Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act passed, and the department renamed Fisheries and Aquaculture. In 2000 the department merged with Agriculture and Marketing to form the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. In 2006 Fisheries and Aquaculture was separately re-established as an office, and in 2007 it resumed its former departmental status. The department establishes and administers policies, programs and guidelines pertaining to the administrative development and protection of the fishery and coastal zone aquatic resources; consults with and coordinates the work and efforts of other government departments and agencies respecting any matter relating to the maintenance and development of fishery resources; enters into agreements with the Government of Canada or the government of any other province on matters relating to the management or development of fishery resources; develops scientific databases, especially with respect to determining the impact of various gear types on the fisheries environment and engages in consultations with the Government of Canada to ensure equitable access to fishery resources; gathers, compiles, publishes and disseminates information, including statistical data, relating to the maintenance and development of fishery resources; establishes and assists demonstration programs consistent with the intent of the act; conducts economic analyses to determine the costs and benefits of proposed alterations to traditional harvesting and processing of fisheries resources and aquaculture; convenes conferences and conducts seminars and educational programs relating to the development, management and protection of fisheries resources; gives financial assistance to any person, group, society or association for purposes related to the promotion and enhancement of the fishery; and establishes fees for any services provided in the course of administering the act.

Notes: Authority record based on Statutes of Nova Scotia: 1964 c. 42, 1977 c. 9, 1983 c. 2, 1996 c. 25, 2001 c. 4, 2006 c. 44; Orders in Council 2000-483 (28 Sept. 2000), 2006-121 (24 Feb. 2006).