Aquaculture
Aquaculture is increasing worldwide and should surpass the supply from wild fisheries in the coming years. Finfish is the main aquaculture in Canada, with over 100,000 tonnes per year during the last decade. The Maritime Provinces contribute about 30,000 tonnes annually to the finfish production.
Finfish aquaculture production (solid line) and value (dashed line) in Canada and the Maritime provinces (NS, NB, PE) in 2023. The effects of COVID-19 are seen in the 2020 data. This includes ground and pelagic finfish.
Data source: Statistics Canada (2025b)
Shellfish is the second most prominent aquaculture product in Canada, with around 40,000 tonnes per year, of which about 25,000 tonnes come from the Maritimes.
Shellfish aquaculture production (solid line) and value (dashed line) in Canada (yellow) and the Maritime Provinces (blue) in 2023. Note the effects of COVID-19 in 2020.
Data source: Statistics Canada (2025b)
Oysters are the most profitable shellfish product, worth over 50 million dollars annually.
Maritime Oysters
Oyster aquaculture trends between 2010 and 2023. A: Weight (solid line) and value (dashed line) in Canada and the Maritime Provinces. B: Oyster weight by the Maritime provinces. C: Value by Maritime provinces.
Data source: Statistics Canada (2025b)
Sea Fisheries
The Atlantic Canada (including QC) contributed 41% of total fishery landings in 2023, of which 12% came from Nova Scotia waters.
Fisheries landings and value in Canada (yellow), Atlantic Canada (green), and Nova Scotia (blue) in 2023.
Data source: (Statistics Canada, 2025a)
The following is the contribution of all provinces in the Atlantic and Nova Scotia to each fishery category.
Fisheries landings and value by type in Canada (yellow), Atlantic Canada (green) and Nova Scotia (blue) in 2023. Percentages are presented for each region.
Data source: (Statistics Canada, 2025a)
Fishery landings by Canadian province, with Atlantic provinces (NS, PE, NB, NL) representing more than 85% of Canadian weight and value.
Proportion of fisheries landings and value by Canadian provinces in 2023.
Data source: (Statistics Canada, 2025a)
