NLIS 2
June 14, 2006
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)

Baie Verte District to receive funding for aquaculture initiatives

Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today reiterated government�s commitment to rural regions of Newfoundland and Labrador with an announcement of over $12,888 for aquaculture initiatives in Baie Verte District.

�Government continues to support rural Newfoundland and Labrador through programs aimed at assisting the development of the aquaculture industry in this province,� said Minister Rideout. �With this province�s potential to be the major producer of aquaculture products in Canada, it represents a massive opportunity for the future. Our government is committed to the development of this industry as it creates employment opportunities for communities along our coasts.�

Under the department�s Aquaculture Innovation Program, LBA Enterprises Limited of Little Bay will receive $2,600 to assist with the acquisition of a hopper conveyor to assist in the transport of mussel seed. Sunrise Fish Farms Inc. will receive $8,526 to assist with purchasing an automatic seed stripper to increase the company�s capacity and efficiency for stripping mussel seed.

�The funding awarded to both companies will help increase the efficiency of the mussel operations of both companies,� said the minister.

The Aquaculture Innovation Program assists aquaculture companies to evaluate, develop and adopt new technologies that reduce production costs, improve efficiencies and increase product quality.

�The future of the fishery is strongly linked to the development of sustainable aquaculture enterprises throughout the province,� said Minister Paul Shelley, MHA for Baie Verte. �I welcome the investment and encourage both firms to pursue new opportunities and increase their presence in this growing sector of our rural economy.�

LBA Enterprises Limited will also receive $1,762 under the department�s Human Resources Development Program to assist with skill development involving various techniques deployed in mussel aquaculture. The Human Resources Development Program assists companies or recognized industry associations in upgrading the knowledge and skills base of employees.

�Our government allocated $4.2 million for the aquaculture industry in Budget 2006, more than doubling last year�s investments,� said Minister Rideout. �We are dedicated to the sustainability of rural Newfoundland and Labrador and we are demonstrating this through our initiatives in the aquaculture industry.�

In Budget 2006, $255,000 was allocated for initiatives under the Aquaculture Innovation Program.

�Aquaculture is the best kept secret in Newfoundland and Labrador,� said Minister Rideout. �Only 10 per cent of this province�s potential for aquaculture development has been tapped and we have most of the only remaining sites suitable for aquaculture development in Canada. Our government remains committed to providing the tools that are necessary to assist in unleashing this enormous potential.�

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

2006 06 14                                                        9:30 a.m.