Fisheries and Aquaculture
April 14, 2011
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Positive Report Received on Fisheries Research and Development Program
I rise in this Honourable House today to deliver good news on the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. This is a program that was created as part of our Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy and implemented in 2007 with an investment of $6.6 million in fishing industry research and development. Including leveraged funds, the program has resulted in $25 million being invested in fishing industry-led R&D and a total of 128 projects have been funded since its creation.
In 2010, my department hired external consultants to conduct an evaluation of the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. I am pleased to report that through client surveys, it was determined that there is a very high level of approval for this program within the fishing industry. Ninety-five per cent of those surveyed described it as being useful in addressing important industry needs.
Approximately 85 per cent of people surveyed stated that they would not have proceeded with their projects without the program. Our government believes this makes it a huge success. As well, my department provided more than funding. My officials also provided expert advice on project ideas, the preparation of proposals and the development of new projects.
This program has been instrumental in fostering fishing industry research and development in some key areas. These include: fishing industry safety, energy efficiency, and seafood marketing and development. Projects such as these are critical to ensuring that our fishing industry continues to be competitive in the global marketplace. This research provides for effective and efficient fish harvesting and processing, and the development of new products in ever-changing global seafood markets.
The success of the program would not have been possible without the strong partnerships that have been built with industry participants in the harvesting and processing sectors, as well as academic organizations and research groups such as the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University and the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation. We look forward to working with them again in the future.
Our government believes the program has been a huge success. My department continues to work with the fishing industry to build a bright future for young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who wish to have a future in fisheries research, seafood marketing and development, and the marine sciences.
2011 04 14 1:45 p.m.