ADA Background
What is an ADA?
- An Aquaculture Development Area (ADA) is an area of water that has been identified following a thorough assessment, has been pre-approved for specific types of aquaculture to facilitate the responsible development of the aquaculture industry. An ADA establishes that, for the designated area, there is an opportunity for the optimum use of marine resources through aquaculture development that occurs within the terms and conditions defined for that ADA.
What is the goal of the ADA?
- The primary goal of an ADA is to proactively facilitate the sustainable development of the marine aquaculture industry in Nova Scotia through a defined public process led by the Government of Nova Scotia and respective local authorities and other regulatory governments and agencies supported by appropriate social, environmental, economic data and respective engagement with stakeholders.
What are the objectives of the ADA?
- The proactive approach aims to reduce the social, financial and regulatory barriers facing the aquaculture industry whereby stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis processes are the responsibility of an appointed Steering Committee and supporting subcommittees made up of regulators, First Nations, local authorities, research institutions and respective stakeholders; practices traditionally the responsibility of private industry in the licensing and leasing process.
ADA Process
What is the process to establish an ADA? Who is involved? Are different government agencies involved in the decision process?
- A Steering Committee is formulated with representation from NSDFA and the local municipal government and/or First Nations. The purpose of the Steering Committee is to lead, oversee and coordinate subcommittees, dialogue and information sharing and make decisions on or facilitate coordination with appropriate regulatory authorities where needed on matters related to exploring an aquaculture development area (ADA) in alignment with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NSDFA and respective local government/First Nations.
- Furthermore, the Steering Committee synchronizes communications throughout the ADA processes, enforce timelines, ensure projects goals are being met and liaises about ADA processes and procedures with appropriate authorities.
- The project involves the following departments:
Nova Scotia Environment
Nova Scotia Agriculture
Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs and Housing
Nova Scotia Office of Aboriginal Affairs
Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry
Nova Scotia Transportation Infrastructure & Renewal
Nova Scotia Energy and Mines
Nova Scotia Community Culture and Heritage
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Transport Canada
Environnent & Climate Change Canada