Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett and Nova Scotia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell. (Picture: Supplied)

Tasmania and Nova Scotia sign collaboration agreement on fisheries and aquaculture

AUSTRALIA
Monday, February 18, 2019, 22:00 (GMT + 9)

The Governments of Tasmania and of the Canadian province Nova Scotia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of strengthening collaboration on fisheries and aquaculture matters.

Tasmania's Minister of Primary Industries and Water, Guy Barnett, met last week with a delegation from Nova Scotia led by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell and representatives from Nova Scotia's fisheries sector.

Tasmania is an island state of Australia. It is located 240 km (150 mi) to the south of the Australian mainland, separated by Bass Strait.

“There is much we can learn from each other, and the MoU will ensure a mechanism for shared learning and knowledge exchange on fisheries and aquaculture development,” said the Tasmanian Minister.

“Tasmania’s AUD 947 million (USD 676 million) per annum seafood sector is synonymous with our premium food brand, and we are always looking at ways to value-add,” he added.

In addition, he stressed that the Tasmanian Government looks forward to working in cooperation with the Government of Nova Scotia, to continue to develop and improve best fishing practices.

Before travelling to Tasmania Minister Colwell highlighted the importance of its lobster and salmon farming industries, and said the mission's purpose was to share ideas and best practices on sustainability, quality, safety and the ecological program of Tasmania

Apart from meeting Minister Barnett, Colwell also met with key stakeholders to build trade relationships and showcase the province’s high-quality seafood through targeted business to business meetings.

The Canadian group met with Tasmania’s Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett in the capital Hobart, the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council, the Tasmanian Rock Lobster Fisherman’s Association, the University of Tasmania and the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. They also visited lobster fishermen at their wharfs, marine salmon farms, a salmon hatchery and a food tourism operation.

“Nova Scotia’s seafood industry is one of our province’s most valuable and successful resources,” said Colwell. “It is important to take advantage of opportunities to learn from other leaders around the world, so we can continue to build on our successes here in Nova Scotia.”
 

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