Economic Development Organizations Receive Funding for Whelk Research

Three economic development organizations are conducting separate surveys of offshore whelk populations to determine the viability of having local fishermen harvest the species. The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, today announced more than $122,000 through the Provincial Government’s Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program to assist the research.

“Creating new opportunities for stakeholders in the fishing industry is a priority for this government,” said Minister Jackman. “We are particularly focused on finding ways to revitalize areas that have limited resources to keep enterprises viable. I commend these organizations for developing projects that have real potential to create economic benefits for the communities they serve, and I wish them all the best in their efforts.”

The organizations undertaking these research projects are the Nordic Economic Development Corporation, the Labrador Straits Development Corporation, and St. Anthony Basin Resources Incorporated (SABRI). Each organization will engage in a test fishery for 10 days using 200 whelk pots placed at different depths and locations between the tip of the northern peninsula and the south coast of Labrador. The projects will help determine if the resource is sufficient to sustain a commercial harvest and generate a reasonable return for harvesters.

“We are proud to partner with the Provincial Government in a research effort that may help our local fishery generate further economic benefits for the region,” said Sam Elliott, Executive Director of SABRI. “It can take considerable time, effort, and financial resources to successfully engage in rural economic development, and so we appreciate the support provided by the Provincial Government for projects like this.”

Communities on the northern peninsula and south coast of Labrador have long relied on the fishery for economic activity, but inshore harvesters from these areas are experiencing significant challenges with harvesting traditional species.

“A project like this has great importance for regions that are heavily reliant on fishing activity,” said Linda Randell, Executive Director of the Nordic Economic Development Corporation. “I am eager to see the results of our project, and I am optimistic we will create new opportunities for fishers in the region.”

There is optimism that if the research provides evidence an offshore whelk fishery is viable, it may encourage local fishers to engage in the fishery, which in turn would also enhance processing activity.

“We are very eager to see the results of this research as we hope it will provide additional opportunities for those both in the harvesting and processing sectors,” said Barbara Marshall, Executive Director of the Labrador Straits Economic Development Corporation.

The Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program was introduced in 2007 to make funds available for industry-led research and development projects in the fishing industry. Through the first three years of the program, the Provincial Government invested approximately $6 million to support a total of 127 industry-driven projects. The program was continued for another three years with a total investment of $6.6 million through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador.

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2011 08 29                                         11:20 a.m.