Fisheries and Aquaculture
July 22, 2010Minister Sees Firsthand the Extensive
Growth and Opportunity
in Coast of Bays Region
The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture,
completed a visit this week to the Coast of Bays Region on the south
coast of Newfoundland. "It was certainly enlightening to visit the
largest aquaculture producing region in the province," said the
minister. "It is amazing to see what a positive impact the growth in
this industry has had on the Coast of Bays Region. There is evidence of
development everywhere and you can see the positive spin-off effects
from the growth that is taking place in the aquaculture industry."
While in the region, the minister visited aquaculture infrastructure
and met with key stakeholders in the province's fishing and aquaculture
industries. He visited St. Alban's, Gaultois, Harbour Breton, Hermitage,
Milltown and Pool's Cove.
"I had a very busy agenda during my time in the Coast of Bays Region
because there is simply so much development to see and so many
stakeholders to meet with," said Minister Jackman. "This is clearly an
area of the province where our fishing and aquaculture industries are
alive and well. It is important to continue to maintain communication
between the two industries as they grow side by side. This is critical
to the continued development of both industries."
On the first day, Minister Jackman visited the site of the new $8.8
million Centre for Aquaculture Health and Development that is currently
being constructed by the Provincial Government in St. Alban's.
"I was pleased to see that the construction of the Centre for
Aquaculture Health and Development is progressing so well," said
Minister Jackman. "This centre is a key part of our government's plan
for the future growth of the aquaculture industry in the province. It
will ensure the health and bio-security of our aquaculture products well
into the future."
While in Hermitage, the minister visited the new wharf that is being
built in the town by the Provincial Government. Funding of $10 million
has been allocated to construct biosecure aquaculture wharves in the
Coast of Bays Region.
"Our new wharves infrastructure will enable the aquaculture industry
to develop in a healthy and biosecure manner that will benefit the
industry, region and province as a whole," said Minister Jackman. "The
construction is coming along very well and having dedicated aquaculture
wharves should be of benefit to all coastal infrastructure user groups,
including fish harvesters and producers."
Also while in Hermitage the minister met with municipal leaders and
plant workers from both Hermitage and Seal Cove. He toured Newfoundland
Aqua Services operations and then moved on to Pool's Cove where he did a
tour of the Northern Harvest Sea Farms aquaculture sites.
"I am extremely proud to highlight our successes to Minister Jackman
and our government," said Tracey Perry, Member of the House of Assembly
for Fortune Bay-Cape La Hune District. "As a young person living in
rural Newfoundland myself, I feel the excitement and energy throughout
the region. Under the leadership of the Williams Government since 2003,
the support for expansion and investment attraction has been tremendous
and is yielding solid results that will ensure a long-term sustainable
future for us here in the Coast of Bays region."
Minister Jackman also toured the aquaculture hatchery in St. Alban's
and visited Gaultois where he met with the town council and Gaultois
Investment Corporation. He then moved on to Harbour Breton where he met
with the town council.
"The seafood processing plant in Harbour Breton is doing extremely
well," said Minister Jackman. "In fact, it is now seeing some of its
highest levels of production ever, as a result of the growth in
aquaculture. Only a few years ago the outlook for this area was very
bleak indeed. However, the outlook has improved tremendously as a result
of the considerable investment on the part of the Williams Government,
which has attracted further private sector investment.
"Our government has done a lot of work to foster the growth and
development of the province's aquaculture industry," said Minister
Jackman. "Clearly we are reaping the rewards of our investment. We are
also working very hard to ensure there are effective working
relationships between industry, the communities and other stakeholders
as this growth takes place. It was an extremely worthwhile visit and I
plan to return again in the future."
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