By Richard Bell
The government of Tasmania reported on February 17, 2019 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the government of Nova Scotia at the conclusion of the visit to Tasmania of a fishing industry delegation led by Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Keith Colwell. As of February 23, 2019, there was no information available on the Fisheries and Aquaculture website about this MOU or any other trip results.
On his website, Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water, posted the following information about the MOU:
“The Governments of Tasmania and Nova Scotia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of strengthening collaboration on fisheries and aquaculture matters.
This week I met with the delegation from Nova Scotia, led by Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell, along with representatives from the Nova Scotian seafood sector.
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.
Tasmania’s $947 million per annum seafood sector is synonymous with our premium food brand, and we are always looking at ways to value-add.
I look forward to the progress we can make together, to further develop the first-class, sustainable seafood industries of both our states.
The signing of the MoU is one of the highlights of the visit, with the delegation also taking the time to visit local fishers, hear from our fisheries experts, and discuss fishing practices with DPIPWE and the industry.
The Tasmanian Government is looking forward to working cooperatively with the Nova Scotia Government, as we both continue to develop and improve best practice fishing.”