Fogo Island Co-Op Exploring Sanitization Technology with Provincial Government Support

The Fogo Island Cooperative Society will examine new sanitation technology for its shrimp operation with financial assistance through the Provincial Government’s Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program. The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced $6,000 in funding today to assist research into leading sanitation technology available in Iceland and Ireland to continue to enhance the Co-op’s sanitation practices.

“The Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program is in place to promote the pursuit of best practices in our fishery,” said Minister Dalley. “The Provincial Government’s $6,000 contribution to this research will help the Fogo Island Cooperative Society gather valuable information that may lead to the use of new sanitation equipment at its facilities. Enhancing sanitation and seafood processing operations will achieve a more safe, clean and efficient operation overall for the Fogo Island Cooperative Society and ensures a high quality seafood product for the global market.”

A range of sanitation technologies will be explored. The first system involves dispersing a sanitizing fog throughout the processing facility. A second system, originally designed for healthcare application, produces detergents and sanitizers on-site using only water and salt. A third form of technology to be explored uses ozone in the sanitizing process.

“This research has the potential to reduce labour costs and make our cleaning processes safer and easier for staff,” said Philip Barnes, General Manager of the Fogo Island Cooperative Society. “I appreciate the Provincial Government’s support, and look forward to completing research that could enhance the plant in the future.”

Budget 2013: A Sound Plan, A Secure Future included a $2.2 million investment in the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program, which has promoted innovation in the province’s billion dollar fishing and aquaculture industry by assisting more than 200 research and development projects since 2008.

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2013 07 29                                        11:45 a.m.