The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:

Fisheries Innovation Funding Program Continues to Benefit Province

Mr. Speaker, I rise in the legislature today to inform the public and members present of the continued success of the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program.

Mr. Speaker, this is a program that has been ongoing for five years and has funded a total of 173 projects in support of innovation, marketing and research in the fishing industry.

The program was announced in 2007 with a $6 million funding allocation, as part of our Fishing Industry Renewal Strategy. In Budget 2011-12, the program was extended for an additional three years with a further commitment of $6.6 million. The Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program has generated $32.8 million in total project value to date, which continues to grow.

The primary goal of this program is to provide support to the province’s harvesting and processing sectors to help diversify the fishing industry and to increase our overall viability in the future.

To that end, Mr. Speaker, we have seen many innovative projects and activities come to fruition, including initiatives that support the reduction of by-catch, enhanced safety, energy efficiency, gear demonstration, and the introduction of new technology.

Some examples of projects undertaken include: the testing of fishing pot technology; exploratory fisheries for northern stone crab, whelk and Atlantic saury; an e-simulator distance education program for stability management; ongoing research on utilization of fish wastes as biodiesel; and, recycling of poly bags to reduce the high volumes of waste disposed in landfills. As well, the program assisted with market development and promotion of shrimp and other important species.

It is by working together that we will bring about new ideas and new ways of efficiently operating that will make the fishing industry more viable and sustainable for the future.

The Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program is here to support the fishing industry in becoming more competitive in global seafood markets. I am confident that with the continued engagement of industry, our fishing and aquaculture sectors will thrive and play an ever-increasing role in the province’s rural economy.

We are very proud of what we have accomplished collectively, Mr. Speaker, and look forward to what future initiatives will bring.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2012 04 04             2:25 p.m.