Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Fisheries and Aquaculture
October 14, 2009
Provincial Government Provides
$174,000 for
Marine Analysis Project in Placentia
Bay
The Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources (CSAR)
is undertaking an analysis of marine life in Placentia
Bay. Supported by a $174,000 investment from the
Provincial Government, improved analysis of the impact
of environmental and human factors on marine life will
lead to better management and utilization of the local
fishery.
"A better understanding of our ocean environment and
maximizing ocean industries are principles that are at
the very heart of Oceans of Opportunity," said
the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation,
Trade and Rural Development. "Through the implementation
of the industry-focused strategy, we are able to support
innovative initiatives like CSAR�s analysis of the
marine environment. I am confident that it will play a
key role protecting Placentia Bay � a bay that has
billions of dollars transported in and out of it
annually while being home to a centuries old fishery."
CSAR is part of the School of Fisheries at the
Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of
Newfoundland (MI). The centre promotes the sustainable
development of aquatic resources and protection of
marine and freshwater environments. Its main areas of
focus are conservation, harvesting technology and
fisheries development for emerging species.
"The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is
pleased to participate in, and support, this valuable
project," said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of
Fisheries and Aquaculture. "The overall objective of the
project is to build the expertise in acoustic telemetry
within the Fisheries and Marine Institute. This will
allow the institute to better serve the fishing industry
in terms of resource management and to the benefit of
the scientific community. This technology will allow for
a better understanding of the variety of influences that
effect the marine environment and how we impact the
biology and ecology of commercially fished marine
resources in the province."
With the Provincial Government�s investment, CSAR �
in collaboration with Lotek Wireless � will attach
telemetric technology to marine life in Placentia Bay
and track their movements. This state-of-the-art
telemetry technology � which involves attaching
transmitters to animals and tracking their movements �
will allow for the remote measurement and reporting of
information into how the bay�s marine life, most notably
snow crab, American plaice, Atlantic cod, and Atlantic
lobster, interact with external influences.
"The Marine Institute is pleased to be a recipient of
funding from the Provincial Government�s Oceans of
Opportunity," said Glenn Blackwood, Executive
Director, MI. "This new initiative will greatly aid
research efforts in Placentia Bay. The use of
state-of-the-art telemetry technology will advance our
efforts to understand the influence of the environment
and human activities on the movement, behaviours and
habitat use of commercially and ecologically important
species of marine life."
This initiative was funded through a $135,000
investment from the Department of Innovation, Trade and
Rural Development, and a $39,000 contribution from the
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Oceans of Opportunity is a five-year, $28 million
strategy focused on stimulating growth that best positions
Newfoundland and Labrador�s ocean technology sector.
It is designed to improve supports to business,
strengthen ties between institutions and industry, and
develop a new marketing approach for select target
markets.
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