CMAR played a leading role in developing Nova Scotia’s Coastal Classification System (CCS) — a science-based, non-regulatory planning tool designed to support informed and transparent decisions around aquaculture development for finfish and shellfish.
Developed using existing province-wide data, the CCS helps identify areas along Nova Scotia’s coast where environmental, regulatory, and human-use factors may either support or challenge the feasibility of aquaculture. It’s designed to guide early-stage conversations and provide useful spatial context for industry, regulators, and communities alike.
The outcome of the CCS is a publicly accessible online mapping tool, offering a visual overview of coastal suitability across the province. It’s an important resource for identifying potential opportunities and limitations in aquaculture planning.
CMAR led the scientific development of the CCS — from conducting suitability assessments to building the interactive tool.
The tool is available on the Government of Nova Scotia’s website, and can be accessed here
