Fisheries and Aquaculture
November 14, 2014
Supporting Best Practices and Sustainability in Aquaculture
Mussel Farmers Receive $53,200 to Help Maintain Certifications
Mussel farmers throughout the province will continue to promote their sustainable and environmentally-responsible approach to aquaculture with support from the Provincial Government. The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced more than $53,000 today to help the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association engage in mandatory audits to maintain the industry’s Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard certification and Best Aquaculture Standards certification.
“Consumers today hold seafood producers to a high standard. In addition to seeking high quality products, they want to know their seafood is produced in a sustainable manner. Provincial mussel farmers recognized this trend and became the first Canadian producers to achieve certifications that prove their mussels are raised according to best practices. This government is pleased to commit $53,200 to help them perform audits so they can maintain their competitive edge.”
- The Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
The Provincial Government has invested almost $1 million in the mussel industry since 2006. This investment not only assisted the process of certifying mussels produced in Newfoundland and Labrador to the Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard, but also helped the provincial mussel industry achieve record production levels.
“Our organic certifications provide us with a tremendous opportunity to differentiate Newfoundland and Labrador mussel products in the global marketplace. The industry appreciates the Provincial Government assistance with achieving, maintaining, and promoting these certifications, and we look forward to building on the province’s reputation as one of the best sources of seafood in the world.”
- Miranda Pryor, Executive Director, Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association
The funding for this project was provided through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. Since 2007, the program has supported more than 270 projects aimed at enhancing approaches to marketing, harvesting, farming, and processing seafood.
QUICK FACTS
- Minister Granter announced $53,200 today to help the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association and local mussel farmers maintain organic mussel certifications.
- In November 2013, Norlantic Processors in Botwood became the first mussel plant in the world to be certified to the Best Aquaculture Practices processing standard.
- In March 2014, Green Seafoods Limited in Winterton became the first secondary mussel processing facility in the world to be certified to this standard.
- The Best Aquaculture Practices certification is provided by the Global Aquaculture Alliance, an international, non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing environmentally and socially responsible aquaculture.
- In 2013, mussel producers became the first in Canada to be certified to the Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard.
- Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook includes $4 million for the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program to support innovation projects in the fishing and aquaculture sectors over the next two years.
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Media contacts:
Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca |
Miranda Pryor Executive Director Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association 709-754-2854 miranda@naia.ca |
2014 11 14 11:40 a.m.