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NLIS 14

July 24, 2000
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)


Eel project to determine commercial feasibility

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister John Efford said today�s funding announcement of $150,000 for the Bay St. George South Area Development Association by George Baker, Minister of Veteran Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Premier Brian Tobin to continue with an eel aquaculture pilot project demonstrates government�s commitment to the continued development of the aquaculture industry in the province. The funding is provided under the under the Economic Development Component of the Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative.

Mr. Efford said this aquaculture initiative in Robinsons, on the province�s west coast, will help determine the commercial feasibility of eel aquaculture in our province using a land-based recirculation system.

"This project will show if the potential exists in the province for a commercial eel aquaculture farm. By providing funding for this project we are better positioning the eel operation to attract private investment that will bring it to a commercial stage. In order for this type of aquaculture initiative to succeed it must be to private sector funded."

Mr. Efford noted that the markets for eels are very positive and the technology being used for the pilot project in Robinsons is similar to the methods being used in eel farms in Europe.

"We�ll be following the progress of this project which we hope will attract private investment to allow it to transform from an experimental project into a full scale eel grow-out facility. If successful, this first 200 tonne eel farming operation for the province would create up to 15 full time jobs, " said Mr. Efford. 

The three-year $81.25 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment Restructuring Initiative (EDC) was signed on August 16, 1999. The agreement is designed to build upon the strategic plans and priorities of the regional economic development boards to improve the long term economic climate in regions impacted by the downturn of the groundfish industry.

 

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

2000 07 24         4:55 p.m.


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