The Provincial Government will again be funding the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Scholarship for graduating high school students in 2009. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist students entering post-secondary institutions while creating awareness on the province�s fishing, sealing and aquaculture industries among our young people. The scholarship will be valued at $1,000.

"One of the key areas of focus in my department has been creating awareness on the province�s fishing and aquaculture industries," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "This scholarship was created because we saw it as an opportunity to encourage the province�s young people to become more informed about this all important industry."

As part of the application process, eligible students must submit a 2,500 word essay describing what he or she feels are the most important issues facing the province�s fishing and aquaculture industries and provide solutions for how those issues can be addressed.

"We hope to encourage students to research the province�s various fishing industries and understand the many complex issues that we are facing," said Minister Hedderson. "It is very important for young people to be informed on these issues that are critical to the future of our provincial economy."

The scholarship is being funded by the Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Policy Division of the department. This division has a mandate to analyze issues of fisheries science, ocean�s policy and fisheries resource management for the Provincial Government.

"This is an excellent opportunity for a student to obtain financial assistance to support their post-secondary studies," said Minister Hedderson. "I encourage as many students as possible to apply and wish all of them the best of luck."

Applications can be obtained online at www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/dfa_scholarship_application_09_10.pdf. They are also available directly at the regional offices of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The deadline for applications is July 30, 2009.

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Media contact:

Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca