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Shellfish farming. (Photo: DFO/www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca)
Govt allocates USD 80,000 to PEI aquaculture
CANADA
Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 22:40 (GMT + 9)
Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, has announced that Somers Island Blues Inc will receive CAD 80,000 (USD 79,720) in funding from the Government of Canada to support an innovative aquaculture project in Prince Edward Island (PEI).
“Our government is proud to support global competitiveness and environmental performance in aquaculture,” said Ashfield. “This investment helps Prince Edward Island aquaculture industry develop and adopt innovative technology and management techniques.”
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to building a diversified rural economy,” said Gail Shea, National Revenue Minister. “As Canada’s aquaculture industry continues to grow, it brings economic and social benefits to our community.”
Somers Island received CAD 80,000 (USD 79,720) from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to develop and assess a prototype system designed to mitigate the impact of vase tunicates on mussel farms. The final deliverable of the project will be an innovative treatment system capable of treating below and above water, and technical drawings of the equipment designs.
These drawings will be provided to the industry for a possible retrofit of existing above water sprayer systems.
The project is being funded through Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Programme (AIMAP). The goal of AIMAP is to improve the competitiveness and market value of the Canadian aquaculture industry by encouraging an aquaculture sector that adopts innovative technology and management techniques to enhance its competitiveness and environmental performance.
Aquaculture contributes nearly CAD 1 billion (USD 996.5 million) to the Canadian economy, providing some 14,500 jobs – often to those living in remote and coastal communities. In 2010, aquaculture in Prince Edward Island was estimated to create 790 direct, full-time jobs within aquaculture operations, and an additional 375 full-time indirect and induced jobs for a total of 1,165 full-time positions.
It is estimated to generate a total of CAD 22.2 million (USD 22.1 million) in direct income, and a total of CAD 31.3 million (USD 31.2 million) in income including indirect and induced income. Blue mussels make up the majority of aquaculture production in Prince Edward Island.
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Photo Courtesy of FIS Member  MPO - Pêches et Océans Canada - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Headquarters)
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