Eastern Shore MLA Kent Smith has been reappointed as Nova Scotia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister.
“I’m really, really happy to be back in this role. There’s good work that was started that I would like to keep working on,” said Smith in an interview.
First elected in 2021, Smith was named as the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture in September 2023 by Premier Tim Houston, who reappointed Smith to the portfolio following the Nov. 26, 2024 provincial election.
When it comes to ministerial appointments, the Premier makes all those decisions, said Smith, adding “I did let him know I was very interested in staying on as Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. I’m happy to take on whatever challenge the premier wants for me. I’m thrilled to be here.”
Going into 2025, Minister Smith said the top priority for his department will continue to be the illegal, out of season lobster fishing in southwestern Nova Scotia.
Starting in August 2024, Smtih said the province “really put a lot of pressure on the federal government to do their job and enforce the illegal fishing that is taking place in southwest Nova. That remains the top priority of the department as we keep raising the profile of that and continue to call on DFO to enforce illegal fishing. The seafood sector is the province’s largest industry, worth $2.5 billion in exports last year [2023]. Overfishing by unlicensed and out of season harvesting has real potential to cause negative impacts for our province. That will be my continued number one priority.”
As for the provincial responsibilities when it comes to the enforcement of illegal fishing activities, Smith said he is committed “100 per cent to pulling every lever that we can provincially to do our part. We’ve increased inspections of facilities. We’ve created two new conservation enforcement officers’ positions. We’ve sent multiple letters to our buyers and processors reminding them of their obligations under the Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act and will continue to do everything we can and look for unique ways to fulfill our obligations in protecting the industry.”
Smith said the province does have a number of ongoing investigations that he can’t talk about. “The province is fully committed to doing everything we can to protect the industry,” he said.
Going into 2025, market diversification was another top issue for the department, said Smith, due to the potential for U.S. tariffs.
“The bulk of our seafood is exported to the U.S., so there is a worry Trump will go forward with the tariffs. It will cost everyone more to cross [the border] and could have a negative effect where we can sell our product, so hopefully the threat he is putting out there will not come to fruition. 50 per cent of our exports goes to the U.S., so we’re actively looking at other markets to make sure we have a place for our seafood to go.”
As for aquaculture growth and development, Smith said there are a number of initiatives that his department is proud of.
“Changes to legislation makes it easier for shellfish and marine plants to grow in this province and not have to go through the aquaculture review board any longer. The Argyle Development Area (ADA) is another way we’re trying to create new leases for oysters, scallops and sugar kelp.”
Initiated in spring 2024, the ADA pilot project is a collaborative initiative led by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Municipality of the District of Argyle. Through extensive collaborations and research, 53 sites have been designated as an ADA for shellfish and marine plant aquaculture, within Lobster Bay and Pubnico Harbour, Yarmouth County. The ADA will be developed in phases, starting with a call for proposals for six identified sites.
Smith added site reallocation is also very important in the growth and development of aquaculture in Nova Scotia.
