More support for aquaculture innovation
For the second time in as many years, the Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honourable Gail Shea, came to Campbell River to announce funding to aquaculture companies under the federal AIMAP (Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program) initiative. A total of CAD$ 637,678 (~€479,000) was provided to four finfish and two shellfish projects. The funded projects have attracted some CAD$ 2,834,200 (~€ 2.128 million) in leveraged funding from the proponents own or outside sources.
The AIMAP program “..helps recipients plan, manage and complete aquaculture projects to enhance the productivity, economic viability, environmental performance and potential of the Canadian aquaculture industry, as well as to produce a healthy and nutritious food source”, according to a government release issued at a gathering at the Campbell River Museum today. “Through AIMAP, the Government of Canada supports the aquaculture industry by helping it develop and adopt management techniques and technologies that enhance the industry’s economic and environmental performance. The results of these projects, as with all AIMAP projects, will be shared with the Canadian aquaculture industry as a whole to assist in furthering Canada’s position as an international leader in producing sustainable seafood”.
Among the successful applicants for funding under this program were;
- Sablefish Canada Inc.- for the development of an underwater feed delivery system for farmed sablefish (black cod)
- Target Marine Hatcheries Ltd.- for improved maturation techniques, non-invasive sexing and improved flesh and caviar quality in white sturgeon
- Mama’omas Enterprises Inc.- a company owned by the ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay, B.C. for the development of a pilot project aimed at demonstrating the feasibility of a land-based, closed containment rearing system for farmed Atlantic and Coho salmon
- Microtek International Inc.- for the validation and testing of a vaccine for sea lice
- Odyssey Shellfish Ltd.- for the development of a commercial-scale deepwater holding and pre-harvest finishing system for oysters
- Evening Cove Oysters- to improve the efficiency and sustainability of shellfish aquaculture nurseries, which means using a new type of FLUPSY (FLoating UPwelling SYstem) powered by solar energy
Minister Shea told FishfarmingXpert that the new regulatory regime for aquaculture in British Columbia has been a lot of work, but it will be in place by the December 18, 2010 deadline, including details about the Conditions of Aquaculture Licenses, which have yet to be made public. A decision regarding the current moratorium on new finfish farms on the B.C. North Coast has yet to be determined said the Minister, but a Memorandum of Understanding is being developed between the federal government and the province.
Mayor Charlie Cornfield of Campbell River introduced and welcomed the Minister, and the Member of Parliament for the area- John Duncan, who is also the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs- issued a statement, saying that; “Our government supports the development of a vibrant and sustainable Canadian aquaculture industry that contributes to the economies of rural, coastal and First Nations communities. Campbell River is just one community in B.C. that sees the benefits of this industry firsthand”.
