Canadian government allots funding for Nova Scotia lobster industry improvements

The government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia (NS) have confirmed total funding of more than CA$7 million (US$5.18 million) for 120 Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) projects to support increased lobster quality in Nova Scotia through infrastructure, innovation, and science partnership projects.

The funded projects include the following:

• Vessel improvements (live wells and other equipment) – 95 projects focused on the purchase and installation of technology and equipment to improve the quality of harvested lobster and the sustainability of operations
• Shore facility improvements – 22 projects focused on the purchase and installation of equipment and upgrades, including automation, to improve lobster quality for land-based processing and storage facilities
• Innovation – one project focused on improving standards for lobster quality
• Science partnership – two projects focused on research and development related to lobster quality

This CA$7 million contribution comes from the CA$400 million (US$296 million) AFF jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments.