Fisheries and Aquaculture
July 21, 2008

The Provincial Government is providing $100,000 to Dorset Fisheries to assist the company in conducting a test of new innovative technology that will help achieve higher efficiency, quality and productivity in pelagic processing. The funds have been made available under the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program.

"This initiative is just another example of the innovative technology and new opportunities that are being spurred by this particular program," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Acting Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "Increased productivity is naturally a top priority in all industries, and it is particularly important in the fishing industry as it becomes increasingly competitive on the global scale. I commend Dorset Fisheries for the initiative, and I am certainly pleased to support its efforts."

The new technology includes a weighing system that will allow product to be weighed automatically and thus will accelerate the packaging process. Currently, such procedures are performed manually. With the implementation of this new system, the company is focused on achieving top quality product as efficiently as possible. The current workforce will be maintained.

"Dorset Fisheries Limited thanks the Provincial Government for supporting our project to make the pelagic processing and packaging line more efficient and also to improve the overall quality of the products we produce," said Derrick Philpott of Dorset Fisheries Limited. "It is support like this that helps to improve our ability to compete on an international basis."

The Provincial Government has allocated $6 million over three years to administer the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. This includes $2 million in Budget 2008. The program is part of a series of provincial initiatives that were created under the Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy.

"I am very pleased to hear that funding has been granted to Dorset Fisheries Limited by the minister for new initiatives in exploration of technology to reduce the processing time for the pelagic sector," said Bellevue District MHA Calvin Peach. "To maintain the future of fish processing operations, we have to change and use modern technology, which will in turn maintain a healthy fishery for both harvesting and processing sectors."

To date, more than $1 million has been approved under the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program.

"The Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program was developed to foster innovation and diversification in the province�s fishery," said Minister Taylor. "Its objective is to achieve the best possible returns for the industry, in the harvesting, processing and marketing sectors. Through the projects approved to date, it is clear that this objective is being achieved. This is a clear indication of our government�s commitment to the fishing industry and indeed to rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

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