Nova Scotia launches three-year plan to expand its $2.2-billion seafood industry

The Nova Scotia government has announced a three-year strategy aimed at growing the province’s $2.2-billion seafood industry.

Fisheries Minister Kent Smith says the goal is to help the sector cope with rising costs, labour shortages and global trade challenges.

Smith says $1.5 million will be set aside for this year to establish an innovation hub for applied research.

As well, the strategy calls for expanding the aquaculture sector, providing support for product diversification and offering up to $4 million over three years to diversify markets.

The strategy was developed with input from industry representatives.

The government says Nova Scotia’s seafood industry employed about 19,000 people in 2025 and remains the province’s top exporter, generating $2.2 billion in revenue last year.