Mussel farmers fetch funding
According to the federal government’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)- which provided the funding under its Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program (AIMAP)- the PEI aquaculture industry provides an estimated 1,165 jobs and over $31.3 million (~€23.8 million) in wages for Prince Edward Islanders. In a joint statement with provincial officials yesterday, the Minister in charge of DFO said that the Canadian government “Supports Jobs and Growth by Funding PEI Aquaculture Projects”;
The Honourable Gail Shea, Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island (and former Minister of DFO) and the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today the Government of Canada will invest almost $970,000 (~€737,500) to support three innovative aquaculture projects in Prince Edward Island. Representing the Government of Prince Edward Island was Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Ron MacKinley. “Our Government is committed to boosting the Canadian economy,” said Minister Ashfield. "Innovation in aquaculture will help create jobs, especially in rural areas."
“The aquaculture industry in Prince Edward Island offers many economic benefits and a variety of exciting career choices for people living in rural and coastal communities,” said Minister Shea. “Aquaculture is a very important part of the fishery in Prince Edward Island,” said Minister MacKinley. “The province is pleased to partner with the federal government and industry to invest in innovative processing technologies and support certification efforts.” Three projects in the Gulf Region received an additional $ 968,873 in funding through the federal Government:
- PEI Mussel King Inc. received an additional $450,000 (~€342,000) toward their project to develop new and innovative equipment for mussel processing. The plant expansion, with the adoption of new handling and processing approaches, will position PEI Mussel King to take advantage of and supply new, emerging markets with value-added, quality and tailored mussel products. The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, previously announced $1 million (~€760,300) investment in this project. The provincial government previously announced $4.8 million (~€3.65 million) for this project.
- Confederation Cove Mussel Co. Ltd. received $ 505,773 for a project to develop and improve the grading process in Canadian mussel plants. The accuracy of the grading process is a very important element in terms of both quality and food safety. This innovative technology will provide the mussel processing industry with the catalyst that it needs to introduce the type of leading edge technology that will radically improve performance. A provincial contribution of $42,225 from the PEI Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Initiative supports the development and testing of this vision grading technology.
- The PEI Aquaculture Alliance received $13,100 (~€10,000) to enable Aquaculture Industry Certification. The (provincial) Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development provided $3,300 (~€2,500) towards this project.
In addition to Government of Canada funds being announced today, $18.8 million (~€14.3 million) in AIMAP funding has been made available throughout Canada over the past four years. It has funded innovative aquaculture and market access projects that contribute to the industry’s growth through sustainable production, increased diversification and/or green technology.
