News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

NLIS 4
October 11, 2000
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

 

New programs will strengthen mussel industry

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister John Efford said today that a new Shellfish Aquaculture Technology Program established for mussel growers in the province, and improvements to an existing Mussel Incentive Program, are part of government�s ongoing effort to assist commercial development of the province�s shellfish aquaculture industry.

The recently established two-year Shellfish Aquaculture Technology Program will enable farmers to try new and innovative approaches to growing mussels in Newfoundland and Labrador waters. As well, it will enable farmers to access technologies to improve the quality of the mussels, the handling of larger volumes of product now being grown on farm sites, and to increase the province�s competitiveness in the international marketplace. The program will receive $100,000 annually for the next two years.

Improvements to the existing Mussel Incentive Program - which was established in 1993 by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture - include an increase in the annual funding from the current level of $100,000 to $300,000. The additional assistance will help mussel farmers increase their annual production.

Minister Efford said: "With our expanding mussel farming industry, it is imperative that companies access new technologies that will help improve product quality, assist in increasing production and also keep production costs down. The Shellfish Aquaculture Technology Program will provide a contribution to eligible mussel farmers in rural Newfoundland and Labrador to help them achieve these goals."

Mr. Efford added that there has been strong growth in the mussel sector over the past five years and the private sector has made significant investment in this industry. "I believe that now is a prime opportunity to ensure that we move forward in the mussel industry. Expanding the capability of the Mussel Incentive Program over the next two years will help ensure the industry�s long-term viability and continued growth."

The blue mussel sector has been one of the leaders in the development of the aquaculture industry with production of 1,700 tonnes in 1999 and continued growth projected for 2000. Overall, the aquaculture industry had an export value of $18 million in 1999, up from approximately $13 million the year before.

The $600,000 in support of the new Shellfish Program and the improved Mussel Incentive Program is made available through the federal/provincial Economic Renewal Agreement (ERA).

A committee consisting of the departments of Fisheries and Aquaculture and Development and Rural Renewal, the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency is overseeing the programs.

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

2000 10 11 3:45 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement