Our Lobster, Our Communities
Activating Change Together for Community Food Security (ACT for CFS)
2010 – 2015
Our Lobster, Our Communities
As part of the ACT for CFS research project, community researchers in Eastern Shelburne County chose to examine the lobster industry using participatory video. The purpose of the Our Lobster, Our Communities project was to learn more about the lobster industry. We were specifically interested to learn more about the lobster industry regarding price, distribution, regulations, and selling locally. Interviews also explored changes in the industry over the years, and the challenges and opportunities for the industry.
Fifteen videotaped interviews were conducted with key players and community members involved in the lobster industry in Eastern Shelburne County selected purposefully to represent a diversity of perspectives and experiences. Participants included men and women, young and old, current and past harvesters, buyers, distributors, processors, government officials, association members, and lobster industry stakeholders. In all, they represented over 400 years of collective experience in the lobster industry.
From these interviews, an informative, engaging film was created called: “Our Lobster, Our Communities.” One of the ways we hope to build collective action and make change is to host film screenings and community conversations throughout Nova Scotia.
Below, please find our:
Reports
Summary: Our Lobster, Our Communities
A participatory research report »
This summary outlines the key finding from the research about the lobster industry as a key component of community food security in rural, coastal communities in Nova Scotia.
November 2014 (JPG, 167 KB)
Final Report: Our Lobster, Our Communities:
A participatory research report »
This is the final report with key findings from the research about the lobster industry as a key component of community food security in rural, coastal communities in Nova Scotia.
November 2014 (PDF, 1.1 MB)
Participatory video
Next steps for the project
As part of the last phase of the ACT for CFS project, the above report and 15 minute video will accompany community researchers as they reach out to communities across Nova Scotia to engage in discussion around the issues, opportunities and future of our rural, coastal communities and the lobster industry. It is our hope that this video and report will reach many people across Nova Scotia and beyond and help to bring people together to have meaningful, engaging discussion that will lead to collective action around the lobster industry. We believe that the lobster industry is of the utmost of importance to our rural, coastal communities and we, the people, should be involved in planning its future.
If you are interested in hearing more, having the video screened in your community, or want to join the discussion for collective action please contact Sheila Bird at x2013gts@stfx.ca or Patty Williams, Principal Investigator at foodsecurity@msvu.ca.
Lobster Advisory Committee members:
| Sheila Bird | ACT for CFS Community Researcher and Scotia Support Student |
| Dr. Patricia Williams | ACT for CFS Principal Investigator and Co-Director, FoodARC, Mount Saint Vincent University (NSHRF Scotia Support grant holder and project Co-supervisor) |
| Dr. Catherine Morley | ACT for CFS, Knowledge Mobilization Working Group, Acadia University, (NSHRF Scotia Support project Co-supervisor) |
| Justin Cantafio | Ecology Action Centre |
| Cynthia Perry | ACT for CFS Community researcher and videographer |
We gratefully acknowledge finding support from the following funders and partners.
