The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture offers a number of programs and services designed to ensure a clean environment. Please click on the subject heading for information on any of the following initiatives.

Aquaculture:

• The department delivers an Environmental Monitoring Program for the marine aquaculture industry. Under this program, aquaculture sites are monitored for their environmental impacts, and remediation action is undertaken if necessary.

Coastal Zone Management:

• The province is currently participating in dozens of collaborative coastal management initiatives, including The Oceans Working Committee under the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, The Eastern Scotian Shelf Integrated Management Initiative, The Bras d’Or Lakes Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative, and Sustainable Communities Initiative.

• The department initiated a Provincial Oceans Network in 2003 to provide a forum for information exchange among relevant departments and agencies regarding integrated coastal and ocean management. In 2007, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture will play a leadership role in developing options for a made in Nova Scotia approach to coastal management.

• The department ensures that rockweed leases are managed to ensure sustainable development of the resource.

Inland Fisheries:

• The department delivers a salmon stocking program in order to maintain salmon stocks in inland waters.

• The department provides funding for the Adopt-A-Stream program, which is designed to provide interested community groups with the opportunity to improve inland fisheries habitats.