Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning fisheries, aquaculture, molluscan shellfish, and marine conservation. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-05-11
End Date: 2025-05-19

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Marine Vessel Operators Report $10.9 Billion in 2023 Revenue

Statistics Canada’s Survey of Marine Vessel Operators for 2023 identified 870 marine vessel owners and operators across Canada, with revenue totaling $10.9 billion. The data provides a snapshot of the commercial activities underpinning both fisheries and aquaculture transport, and may inform market valuations regarding vessel fleet size and capital mobilization within the marine sector.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Ecosystem Harvest Data Released in Census of Environment Update

The latest Census of Environment data from Statistics Canada quantifies provisioning services extracted from ecosystems, including shellfish, wild fish, and other biomass. The release provides measurement tools for tracking the role of fisheries and aquaculture within natural resource extraction, supporting assessments tied to ecosystem changes and resource allocation.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Announcements

Nova Scotia Ends Moratorium on Seafood Buyer and Processor Licences

The government of Nova Scotia announced an end to its moratorium on seafood buyer and processor licences, in place since 2018 for most species and since 1994 for groundfish. Beginning August 1, 2025, applications for most seafood buyer and processor licences will be accepted, with lobster and snow crab licences following in January 2026. The policy shift increases opportunities for new entrants and diversified processing within the provincial seafood sector while keeping federal harvest quota controls intact.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Digital Licensing for Fishers Introduced in New Brunswick

Hunters and fishers in New Brunswick can now present electronic copies of licences to conservation officers, reducing the need for paper documentation under recent changes to the Fish and Wildlife Act.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

New Brunswick Focuses on Market Diversification for Seafood Sector

New Brunswick’s Minister for Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries led delegations at the Salon International de l'Alimentation and Seafood Expo Global, seeking new export markets for seafood products amid ongoing tariff risks.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Alberta Implements Mandatory Watercraft Inspections to Combat Aquatic Invasive Species

Alberta will require mandatory inspections of all incoming watercraft beginning June 1, 2025, aiming to prevent the introduction of invasive mussels into provincial waterways. Failure to comply may result in fines up to $4,200.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Supported Indigenous-Led Seafood Initiatives Expand Operations

The New Relationship Trust’s Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty Program funds over 100 projects in British Columbia, supporting upgrades to seafood processing facilities and value-added operation expansions led by Indigenous businesses such as Haida Wild.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Saskatchewan Marks Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week

Saskatchewan continues its annual campaign against aquatic invasive species, noting that in 2024 no invasive mussels were found in provincial waterbodies. The province highlights the importance of cleandown protocols.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Nova Scotia Prepares for Blue-Green Algae Season at Lakes

Nova Scotia’s government has issued guidance for residents ahead of the blue-green algae season, citing increased incidents in lakes and associated public health and pet risks linked to cyanobacteria exposure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

On May 13, MP Rick Perkins criticized the current and previous Fisheries Ministers' impact on commercial fisheries via his social media account.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Joanne Thompson, on May 13, stated her commitment to the fisheries portfolio and advocacy for Newfoundland and Labrador in federal Cabinet.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Patrick Weiler shared his participation in an educational event with the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society and Squamish Nation, focusing on community engagement.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator David Wells announced the release of the 2025–2026 Newfoundland and Labrador Anglers’ Guide, urging compliance with updated fishing regulations.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Nova Scotia to lift licensing moratorium for buyers and processors in seafood sector: Global News covers the end of restrictions on new seafood processor and buyer licences in Nova Scotia.
• Changing ocean temperatures continue to impact Maritime fisheries: marine scientist: CTV News highlights scientific observations on how shifting ocean conditions affect fisheries in the Maritimes.
• P.E.I. fisherman says MSX parasite impact on oysters ‘devastating,’ calls for government support: CTV News reports on the MSX parasite’s toll on Prince Edward Island oyster producers.