N.S. sends ‘test’ lobster shipment to China after month with no market

Nova Scotia’s lobster industry has taken a tentative step aimed at reopening its crucial export market in China.

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The market for the province’s lobster had dried up over the last month as China dealt with the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

Premier Stephen McNeil says a flight with 67 tonnes of live lobster left for China on Saturday.

McNeil says it’s a sign the market may be starting to loosen up, and it’s positive news for rural parts of the province.

Fisheries Minister Keith Colwell says the initial flight is considered a test to determine how the distribution system in China fares with moving lobster product.

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China had been the No. 1 one market for air freight shipments of live lobster from Nova Scotia.