Fisheries and Aquaculture
September 15, 2010Lobster Enhancement Project to
Enter Third Phase
With the goal of enhancing lobster populations over the long term,
the Provincial Government is providing $98,400 for the third phase of a
project to study lobster enhancement in Placentia Bay. The total value
of the project will be approximately $157,000. It will be carried out in
partnership with the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI),
the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW), and the Fisheries and Marine
Institute of Memorial University. It involves hatching and cultivating
juvenile lobster for release in Placentia Bay.
"This project has the potential to benefit the Newfoundland and
Labrador lobster fishery in many ways," said the Honourable Clyde
Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "It will provide
opportunities to develop expertise and build knowledge on lobster
enhancement through technology transfer and fisheries research and
development. Ultimately, this may lead to improved lobster stocks, which
can help to increase the landed value of lobster, provide increased
incomes to harvesters and create a more stable fishery overall."
This final phase of the project will focus on the refining of skills
involved with raising and disbursing lobster larvae, identification of
best practices for the Newfoundland and Labrador environment, and
identification of a site for a commercial hatchery in the Placentia Bay
area. Previous phases of this project were funded by the Provincial
Government, National Research Council, FFAW and Marine Institute.
"The centre looks forward to helping with the building of local
expertise in the enhancement of lobster stocks in the province," said
Robert Verge, Managing Director of CCFI. "Lobster is a valued species in
markets throughout the world. Ensuring that the provincial fishing
industry can continue to take advantage of the economic returns from
those markets is a highly anticipated goal of CCFI's participation in
this research and development project."
An increase in the size of lobster stocks would be beneficial to the
province's fishing industry. Having access to a variety of different
fish species throughout the year provides for a sustainable and strong
industry. Direct and indirect economic benefits of this project will
also have a positive impact on the Placentia Bay region.
"Harvesters across the province have been at the forefront of lobster
conservation for years, but there are still times when you need
intervention to have a sustainable resource," said FFAW
Secretary-treasurer David Decker. "Placentia Bay lobster landings are
currently a fraction of historic levels, so we felt it crucial to pursue
this kind of enhancement effort to help rebuild that resource to its
full potential. For an area like Placentia Bay, a healthy lobster stock
could add millions of dollars to the local economy annually. Also, the
knowledge gained here can be applied to other areas where intervention
is needed."
"Research into the future hatchery is on-going and will be based on
design and site selection efforts of our Centre for Aquaculture and
Seafood Development," said Glenn Blackwood, Executive Director, Marine
Institute. "A lot of potential still exists with this project and the
Marine Institute looks forward to working closely with our industry and
government partners in pursuit of valuable and meaningful research into
the lobster fishery. The long-term goal is to increase the lobster
population and therefore ensure the sustainability of the lobster
fishery in Placentia Bay."
The lobster fishery represents a $30 million of the landed value of
the fishing industry in the provincial economy.
"There is considerable potential for this project," said Minister
Jackman. "The objectives are realistic and with the support of our
partners I am sure we will learn a lot of important information for the
development of the lobster fishery in the area. I look forward to seeing
the results of the project."
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