The American lobster (Homarus americanus) fishery is the most profitable commercial fishery in Atlantic Canada, valued at ~$1.5 billion in 2019. Due, in part, to the chaotic nature of the beginning of the lobster season, immobile lobster can arrive at lobster pounds. Under current Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) guidelines, these lobsters are considered unfit
Sea lice are parasitic marine copepod crustaceans that externally attach to fish hosts. In Canada, the three main sea lice species of concern are Caligus elongatus on the Atlantic coast, Caligus clemensi on the Pacific coast, and Lepeophtheirus salmonis on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts due to their parasitism of farmed anadromous salmonids. The
Climate change is increasing global ocean temperatures and causing reduction in pH and oxygen. Global sea level is also rising at an accelerating rate, increasing the risk of coastal erosion and flooding. Nova Scotia is highly dependent on coastal resources for employment and infrastructure,and climate change is a threat to coastal communities and industries.
Planning adaptation
CMAR is part of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster’s project to centralize oceanographic, biological and socioeconomic data into the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS).
Through collaboration between the aquaculture and renewable energy sectors, oceanographic sensors will be deployed
CMAR collects data on critical to support and inform science-based development of coastal industry, guide government policy and management decisions, encourage environmental stewardship, and ensure preparedness for climate change .
Since 2017, CMAR has conducted high-resolution monitoring of Nova Scotia’s coastal waters. This monitoring primarily includes temperature, dissolved oxygen, and intermittent salinity measurements, recorded by sensors
CMAR works with the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture (NSDFA) and marine service providers to deploy Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) to measure current speed and direction at coastal locations throughout Nova Scotia.
Deployment locations and downloadable reports can be accessed below in the ADCP map.
The Province of Nova Scotia and the Municipality of the District of Argyle have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the potential of an Aquaculture Development Area (ADA) for shellfish and marine plant
Developing aquaculture facilities further offshore, in the open ocean, has the potential to significantly increase production while avoiding some of the environmental issues and conflicts currently being faced by the coastal aquaculture industry. Due to its size and proximity to key markets, there is strong potential to develop offshore aquaculture in Canadian waters, particularly off
Eelgrass is the primary seagrass species in Atlantic Canada. It is an ‘Ecologically Significant Species’ and protected under federal legislation through a prohibition on the harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat. The Centre for Marine Applied Research (CMAR) has produced a comprehensive report on the potential for interaction of shellfish and finfish aquaculture
Nova Scotia hosts a growing number of finfish and shellfish aquaculture facilities located in coastal waters and on land. There is interest in further development. A challenge for prospective growers is that information on the province’s infrastructure and service support is not readily accessible. While most of the required information exists in various forms