The Province of Nova Scotia has expanded an existing program that they hope will make people view seafood from our waters like they do Champagne from the Champagne region of France.
The Nova Scotia Seafood Quality Program provides certification for the province’s top exported seafood products, including lobster, oysters, sea scallops, Atlantic halibut, and several other species.
Products that pass the strict quality assurance program will then be entitled to use the 45°63° logo, which has been trademarked internationally.
The 45°63° logo was first introduced for Nova Scotian seafood being sold in China four years ago but this expansion of the program will see it used on more products both for domestic and international markets.
Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell says this program was created in consultation with producers around the province and is a way of creating a brand identity.
“Other countries like Iceland, Norway, and New Zealand have all worked hard to ensure their products are recognized as world-class, here in Nova Scotia we have research that shows our products are the best in the world but we need to promote that idea globally,” Minister Colwell said.
Université Sainte-Anne manages the live lobster certification that ensures lobster suppliers, exporters and harvesters comply with handling and holding best practices, lobster quality, water monitoring, and traceability. Perennia manages the certification for all other species and requires that seafood exporters comply with applicable regulatory requirements, premium quality standards, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement.
So far only one company has qualified for certification that being Fortune Oysters who operate along the Eastern Shore.
“Marketing with this trademark will assist our company to gain worldwide recognition for another top-quality Nova Scotia seafood product. The additional quality assurances offered by this trademark will give us a solid foundation to export superior, consistent, quality oysters to destinations throughout the world,” said Fortune Oysters President Brian Fortune.
Minister Colwell believes all products coming out of Nova Scotia have a chance to qualify for certification. “Our producers are already doing a great job in terms of quality, so this is really just a marketing tool and now we just need to ensure our producers are complying with all the regulations.
In the coming years, Minister Colwell hopes that products bearing the 45°63° logo will become commonplace both locally and internationally.
