In December, the Nova Scotia government approved a controversial proposal to build two salmon farms in Jordan Bay, near Shelburne. (CBC)

In an unprecedented move, the NDP government in Nova Scotia has rejected a fish farm application.

It was a salmon project proposed for Shoal Bay, on the province's eastern shore.

Fisheries Minister Sterling Belliveau said it was a decision based on science.

The federal department said the site would represent a moderate risk to wild salmon.

Belliveau says the province's decision is not a sign that the government is changing its support for fish farms, which was part of its aquaculture strategy released last year

A member of one of the groups opposed said he's surprised.

Bill Williams said he did not expect the province to turn down the application, but he’s nevertheless pleased.

The company behind the rejected application still has another under consideration.

There has been opposition to fish farms around Nova Scotia, including proposals by Snow Island Salmon to develop farms in Spry Harbour, Shoal Bay and Beaver Harbour on the province's Eastern Shore. Snow Island Salmon has since withdrawn its Beaver Harbour application.

With files from The Canadian Press