Fisheries and Aquaculture
December 9, 2009

The following statement was given in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

Update on the Centre for Aquaculture Health and Development

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to provide my colleagues and the people of the province with an update on a very important project related to the development of the province�s aquaculture industry. That, of course, is the Centre for Aquaculture Health and Development, which will be located at St. Alban�s.

I am pleased to report today that a tender has been awarded to Brook Construction Inc. of Corner Brook for the construction of the centre. It is estimated that the centre will cost $8 million and will house approximately 10 staff, including veterinarians, aquatic health staff and development personnel.

I am also pleased to report that site preparation work has been completed and the centre is scheduled to be completed over the coming year.

In response to extensive investment in aquaculture development, the total value of the province�s aquaculture industry almost doubled from $33.6 million in 2005 to $63.3 million in 2008. The production value has increased from 8,200 metric tonnes in 2005 to 11,600 metric tonnes in 2008. By establishing this centre, the Provincial Government is supporting the industry in its goal of reaching 50,000 metric tones of production. This is another example of this government�s investment in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

St. Alban�s is strategically positioned to service the south coast aquaculture industry. In particular, it will service the Atlantic salmon, steelhead trout and Atlantic cod aquaculture sectors.

Mr. Speaker, the centre will play many roles. It will contain a state of the art aquatic health laboratory, to provide rapid diagnostic services. As well, it will provide applied clinical research and be the focal point for advanced biosecurity for the industry.

The centre represents our government�s commitment to the health and sustainable development of the province�s aquaculture industry.

Mr. Speaker, this new aquaculture infrastructure will ensure continued expansion of the province�s growing aquaculture industry and enable it to become more competitive in attracting international investment. It will enable us to ensure that farmed seafood from the province remains in the healthiest state possible, while protecting our marine environment.

2009 12 09                                                 2:15 p.m.