Funding awarded for fisheries diversification initiatives

George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and R. John Efford, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced fisheries diversification projects in the areas of quality enhancement and marketing totalling $129,333.

Funding has been provided for the following initiatives:

• R & C Enterprises Ltd., Port de Grave, $80,790 for the installation of a refrigerated spray chilling system onboard the M.V. Atlantic Challenger which will demonstrate the impact of this system on the quality of crab caught offshore;

• Fisheries Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (FANL) and Fish, Food and Allied Workers Union (FFAW), $32,900 for the production of two videos that will focus on quality and proper handling practices for crab and shrimp; and

• Beothic Fish Processors Ltd., Valleyfield, $15,643 for market intelligence that will assist in developing new markets for seafood products in Mexico, including rock and toad crab and whelk.

"Each of these projects provides new opportunities for the fishery of this province," said Mr. Baker. "By increasing awareness of the need for quality products among fishers, providing that product, and searching out new markets, Newfoundland and Labrador can better compete nationally and internationally."

Mr. Efford said: "Each of these initiatives will help our rural communities move forward in fisheries diversification, and strengthen employment opportunities in regions that have been affected by the downturn in the traditional groundfishery. These projects focus on areas that are vital to the continued growth of our fishery � quality, and developing new markets for our seafood products � and we are confident that they will help us build on the economic growth that is already taking place through diversification."

Funding for these projects is from the $10 million Fisheries Diversification Program (FDP), which is part of the $81.25 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative announced in August 1999.

The main thrust of the FDP is on industry-wide research and development and demonstration initiatives which reflect the strategic economic development priorities and plans of many regional economic development boards throughout the province.

Media contact: Sonia B. Glover Sullivan, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

1999 12 14                              3:55 p.m.