New Project to Explore Opportunities for Full Utilization of Capelin in Labrador

The Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company, with financial support from the Provincial Government, will engage a consultant to identify potential opportunities for the use of male and underutilized female capelin. The project is valued at $16,193, and the Provincial Government will contribute $9,716 toward the overall cost through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program.

“Our government is pleased to partner with the Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company to explore new opportunities which support the full utilization of fish resources,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “By finding new solutions to address this surplus fish we may ultimately improve the economic return from this fishery overall. I commend the company for spearheading such a worthwhile initiative and look forward to the outcome.”

The Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company is owned by the fish harvesters of Labrador from L’anse au Clair to Cartwright. It is the only pelagic processor in Labrador and purchases millions of pounds of capelin from local harvesters each year. The company also operates a number of other processing plants along the Labrador Coast, which produce other high quality products, such as cod, scallops, snow crab, shrimp, and other species from the waters off Labrador.

“We are pleased to undertake this important project with the support of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Gilbert Linstead, General Manager of the Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Company. “Full utilization of capelin has been a challenge for our company in the past due to transportation and logistical issues. It is important that we work with our partners to find a suitable means of utilizing the surplus capelin in Southern Labrador. This project will identify a reasonable approach to maximizing this resource for the future.”

Since the inception of the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program in 2007, the Provincial Government has invested approximately $8.6 million toward over 200 projects. This investment has leveraged an additional $29 million from industry and other partners.

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2013 03 14                             3:40 p.m.