Fisheries & Aquaculture Adaptation Projects

Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is undertaking several initiatives and projects that will help the seafood and sportfishing sectors to adapt to climate change and increase resilience.

Completed

Nova Scotia Lobster Industry Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

The department contracted Perennia's Centre for Marine Applied Research to complete a climate change vulnerability assessment focused on the province's most valuable commercial fishery: the lobster fishery. This work was published in 2024 and models vulnerability by Lobster Fishing Area, considering sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity of each.

Nova Scotia Fisheries and Fishing Community Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

The department contracted Perennia's Centre for Marine Applied Research to complete a climate change vulnerability assessment focused on the province's commercial fishery as a whole. This work was published in 2022 and models vulnerability by county, considering sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity of each.

Ongoing

Critical Infrastructure Supporting the Nova Scotian Seafood Industry Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

The department initiated a climate change vulnerability assessment focusing on select community and privately-owned critical infrastructure supporting the seafood sector in Nova Scotia, identifying how climate change impacts are affecting critical coastal infrastructure and what can be done to increase resilience. The department has contracted Perennia's Centre for Marine Applied Research to complete this work.

Nova Scotia Aquaculture Industry Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment

The department received funding through Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth to conduct a climate change vulnerability assessment focused on the aquaculture industry in Nova Scotia. The department contracted Perennia's Centre for Marine Applied Research to complete this work, including assessment of finfish and shellfish aquaculture, and investigation into climate driven impacts on aquatic animal health from an aquaculture perspective.

Provincial Fish Hatchery Adaptation Upgrades

The department manages three fish hatcheries in the province, integral to the sustainable and successful management of key sportfishing activity in Nova Scotia. Through Nova Scotia's Climate Change Plan for Clean Growth, the department was awarded funds to upgrade these hatchery facilities to ensure they are adapting to changing environmental conditions driven by climate change to ensure optimal operation and fish health. Drop by the hatchery visitors centres for more information.