Funding announced for Newfoundland Salmonid Growers Association

Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced that funding valued at $24,000 has been approved for the Newfoundland Salmonid Growers Association in the Coast of Bays region. This funding is made available under the department�s Human Resource Development Program.

Minister Rideout said, "In order to meet the new requirements in diving legislation that govern scuba diving practices in all occupational diving operations, the Newfoundland Salmonid Growers Association has engaged in training a number of its divers to meet these new regulations. Since this association�s members are actively involved in the aquaculture industry in this province, and diving procedures are vital to their operation, we are extremely pleased to provide this funding."

The Human Resource Development Program is one of many assistance programs that support the aquaculture industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. It assists individual companies, groups of companies, or recognized industry associations to upgrade the knowledge and skills base of employees from managers to site workers.

"The salmonid sector continues to expand," said Minister Rideout. "This is a key growth area for the province with opportunities for expansion in both the on-farm production and support sectors such as smolt and fry production, feed storage, well boat services and net and cage making. Where fiscally possible, we will continue to invest strategically in all sectors of the aquaculture industry in this province."

"Salmonid aquaculture is a financially-viable industry in Newfoundland and Labrador," continued the minister. "This province has the capacity to become the largest producer of aquaculture products in Canada, and this government certainly supports the development of this industry as it brings economic activity and jobs to communities along our coasts."

Clyde Collier, president of the Newfoundland Salmonid Growers Association, says, "The Newfoundland Salmonid Growers Association and its member companies are most appreciative of this government�s progressive approach to the development of the salmonid industry. Investing in the safety of our employees as this program does is of tremendous value for all concerned."

Minister Rideout reiterated that government has made significant investments in the aquaculture industry and it remains a top priority for government.

"In addition to the Human Resource Development Program, the department has also implemented the Marketing Intelligence Program and the Aquaculture Innovation Program, which contribute a total of $180,000 to the aquaculture industry," said Minister Rideout. "The department has also created the Aquaculture Working Capital Loan Guarantee Initiative, which was developed to improve the salmon aquaculture�s ability to engage financial institutions in providing working capital financing for investment."

"These are just some of the initiatives that our government has undertaken to help further develop the aquaculture industry in this province," continued the minister. "This funding for the Newfoundland Salmonid Growers Association is another example of this commitment."

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3733, 690-8403

2006 01 17                               11:10 a.m.