Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation to Benefit from Provincial Funding

The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation received an installment of $1 million today from the Provincial Government as part of a $2.6 million funding contribution to support operations at the centre. This funding will continue to place Newfoundland and Labrador at the forefront of fisheries and aquaculture research and development in Canada.

“The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation is a nationally-recognized research centre that has made a significant contribution to the management and development of fishing and aquaculture industries across the country,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Nowhere has this been more true than right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Certainly, it has been a worthwhile investment for our government, and my department looks forward to continuing to work with the centre in the future.”

The funding will support the centre as it develops numerous projects with industry partners aimed at making the fishing and aquaculture industries more productive and profitable. As well, the centre will continue its mandate to respond to emerging industry needs as they relate to innovation opportunities and technological challenges.

“We appreciate the continued support from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the investment it represents in the future of two of our important industries,” said Robert Verge, Managing Director of The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation. “Fishing and aquaculture are both based on renewable resources and generate a lot of economic activity in the province’s rural areas. Both industries have many opportunities available to them but both also need to do things differently to be successful in the future. With this funding, we will be able to make a significant contribution to helping these industries take advantage of the opportunities and solve some of the current problems.”

The centre’s projects have addressed a number of areas of challenge within the province’s fishing and aquaculture industries, including fish stock assessment, environmentally-sustainable fish harvesting technology, vessel safety and productivity, energy efficiency, value-added seafood processing, waste management, and aquaculture development. Many of these projects have served as the driving force behind increased competitiveness and productivity in the provincial fishing and aquaculture industries, and have supported sustainable growth and development in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation has made an important contribution to the growth and development of our fishing and aquaculture industries in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Jackman. “It also continues to contribute to our province’s reputation as a national centre of excellence for fisheries and aquaculture research and development. We expect that the centre will continue to contribute to this reputation well into the future.”

The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation has operated successfully in this province from the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland for 22 years. During that time it has collaborated with over 200 clients in the fishing and aquaculture industries and completed over 800 industry-driven research and development projects. For every dollar of government money invested in the centre, it has leveraged five dollars from other sources, including industry and academic institutions.

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2011 08 19             10:45 p.m.