|
Fisheries and Aquaculture
January 19, 2007
Hagfish Resource
Studies Underway in NAFO Regions 3O and 3Ps
In partnership with the Canadian Centre
for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), and through collaboration with other
industry representatives, the provincial government is supporting
hagfish resource studies in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)
regions 3O and 3Ps.
This is part of a $140,313 contribution that government has provided to
CCFI for various fisheries and aquaculture development projects.
�Markets for hagfish exist in Asia,� said the Honourable Tom Rideout,
Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. �This species is used in numerous
products, and the skin is used in the leather industry. Therefore, a
significant hagfish resource in the waters surrounding Newfoundland and
Labrador could be extremely beneficial. This project will delineate and
quantify areas of hagfish abundance in 3Ps and 3O, and we are very
pleased to be supporting this initiative.�
This funding has been made available through the department�s Fisheries
Development Program. Funds under this program are used to undertake
exploratory resource surveys, examine and introduce new fishing and
processing technologies, and undertake product developmental activities
aimed at diversifying and strengthening the fishing industry. In Budget
2006, an additional $250,000 was committed to this program for each of
the next five years. The total investment each year will be $700,000.
Funding to the tune of $32,248 has been made available, with $15,688
allocated for the study in region 3O and $16,560 allotted for the survey
in 3Ps. These projects are part of a five year study to determine the
extent of the hagfish resource in these areas.
CCFI, which has been involved in earlier projects on experimental
fisheries, is eager to begin these initiatives. Cathie Horan, acting
managing director of CCFI, said, �This agreement pulls together our
experienced scientific resources, the industry�s market savvy and
practical know-how, and the government�s strategic vision to produce a
very effective partnership. We are very thankful to the Department of
Fisheries and Aquaculture for participating in this initiative and we
share their optimism for an economically fruitful outcome.�
�Any potential for the development of commercial and recreational
fisheries off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador is worth pursuing,�
said Minister Rideout. �Resource exploration initiatives will assist in
achieving these new opportunities within the fishing sector. Our fishing
industry is currently undergoing dramatic changes, and the exploration
of new developments and opportunities could certainly prove to be
rewarding.
�Our government is committed to strengthening the fishing industry in
this province, and we will continue to contribute to initiatives that
have this goal in mind.�
- 30 -
Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
2007 01 19
2:20 p.m. |
