Seafood Expansion and Market Access Program
(SeaMArk)

In response to the immediate and emerging needs of the seafood sector due to global market uncertainty, Perennia is launching a new short-term emergency funding program. This program helps Nova Scotia-based fish and seafood companies with increasing their long-term business productivity and market competitiveness.

The fund supports the engagement of external technical and operational expertise to better inform future decisions related to market diversification and access, competitiveness, business structure and the adoption of innovative technologies and processes

All projects must be complete by December 31, 2025.

Eligible activities can include:

Market diversification and expansion activities

  • Market feasibility studies for current and new product lines to help secure or expand new domestic and export markets
  • Food safety program and certification support
  • New product development including analysis and testing requirements
  • Product packaging and food labelling updating
  • Assessment of equipment and packaging needs
  • Translation services for business operations and entering new markets
  • Other activities that increase market competitiveness in domestic and international markets.

Business process assessments to identify cost-saving measures and opportunities to increase productivity

  • Assessment of human resource needs, business structure, systems or organization
  • Production line layout optimization, engineering or design services
  • Value-adding, automation, robotics, digitization
  • Assessment and identification of opportunities for underutilized species included on current license
  • Cross-sectoral technological scans
  • Other activities related to operations, management, process, equipment, R&D, or capacity building deemed eligible by the Project Assessment Committee.

See Program Guidelines for a full list of eligible and ineligible activities and costs

  • Qualified professional, technical, and other contracted services
  • Participation in appropriate conferences, seminars and training sessions
  • Travel (subject to the National Joint Council Travel Directive)

  • Consumables/services related to routine testing and sampling
  • Refundable portion of HST or other items for which a refund or rebate is received
  • Core marketing and promotional activities including trade missions/seafood shows, Hospitality
  • Non-arm’s length contributions and transactions
  • Any other expenditure not specifically listed as eligible or otherwise approved as eligible

The maximum non-repayable contribution towards a project is $99,900 and this funding amount does not count toward the total non-repayable maximum under the Atlantic Fisheries Fund.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until further notice.

All projects must be completed by December 31, 2025.