More government support for East Coast aquaculture
The aquaculture industry in the eastern Canadian Province of Newfoundland and Labrador is growing in leaps and bounds. As another sign of strong government support for the burgeoning business of producing salmon and trout, as well as cod and other species, the Provincial Minister of Fisheries made another announcement this week, as described by The Telegram, based in St. John's, Newfoundland;
An aquatic animal health laboratory and aquaculture administration facility is to be constructed at St. Alban’s on the province’s south coast at a cost of $7.2 million, the provincial government announced today. The facility is expected to house 10 staff, including development and inspection personnel, as well as aquatic health staff and veterinarians. Construction will begin in the fall. “We are pleased to report that tenders for site preparation have been called and a tender for construction of the building will be published in August,” Fisheries Minister Tom Hedderson said. “A modern aquatic health laboratory is required to support our province’s growing aquaculture industry and meet the need created by increasing levels of production.” The total value of the province’s aquaculture industry almost doubled from $33.6 million in 2005 to $63.3 million in 2008. The production value has increased from 8,200 metric tonnes in 2005 to 11,600 metric tonnes in 2008. The industry is expected to reach 50,000 metric tonnes of production. “The rapid pace of industry growth increases the requirement for laboratory testing right here in the province,” Hedderson said. “As well, federal and provincial regulation and academic testing requirements all mean there is a need for enhanced aquaculture health services in the province.”
