Fisheries and Aquaculture
June 20, 2014
Exploring Innovation to Better Utilize Provincial Fish Resources
More than $18,000 Provided to Help Explore Opportunities in Bait Production
HSF Ocean Products Limited will explore the viability of selling bait products made from shellfish waste with the assistance of $18,380 from the Provincial Government. The O’Donnell’s-based seafood company will use the funding to determine the process and costs required to develop a product made from a variety of shellfish waste, and will then test samples with customers in North American markets. Bait products have generally included squid, mackerel and herring, and are currently very expensive, creating a market opportunity for an alternative.
“The Provincial Government is committed to supporting research and development activity that maximizes the value generated from the fish resources off our coasts. In this case, we have invested more than $18,000 through our Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program to help HSF Ocean Products Limited pursue an unexplored opportunity in bait production that could utilize shellfish waste for profit, which in turn would benefit industry and create new and meaningful economic activity within the province.”
- The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
HSF Ocean Products Limited is well positioned to pursue new product development, as it has considerable experience developing value-added seafood products, and employs a complement of food technologists and quality assurance personnel. The company also has a strong track record pursuing innovations in the past, as it was the first company in the province to incorporate x-ray technology into its whelk inspection process – also with the assistance of the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program.
“HSF Ocean Products Limited has been able to provide employment for people from rural communities in St. Mary’s Bay and Conception Bay for more than 26 years because the company is committed to pursuing continuous improvement and new opportunity. I commend them for taking on this project, and wish them all the best as they explore the market potential of shellfish bait products.”
- The Honourable Felix Collins, Attorney General and MHA for Placentia - St. Mary’s
In the coming months, the company will experiment with bait product, finalize samples for market, engage potential customers, review plant automation and packaging options, and make a final assessment regarding viability.
“HSF Ocean Products has proudly maintained a workforce of approximately 50 while delivering quality seafood to international markets. This project creates the potential for extended employment for our staff, new jobs, and better returns from the shellfish we harvest. On behalf of the company, I thank the Provincial Government for its continued support of innovation within the fishery, which helps companies like ours compete successfully around the world.”
- Todd Hickey, Manager, HSF Ocean Products Limited
Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook included $4 million for the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program for the next two years to further support research and development projects aimed at enhancing approaches to harvesting, processing, and marketing seafood products.
QUICK FACTS
- HSF Ocean Products Limited received $18,380 in Provincial Government support to test the viability of producing bait products from shellfish waste.
- To date, more than 240 research and development projects have been made possible through the Provincial Government’s commitment of $16 million to the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program.
- HSF Ocean Products Limited expects to complete the project before the end of this year.
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| Jason Card Director of Communications Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture 709-729-3733, 699-0470 jasoncard@gov.nl.ca |
Margaret Craniford Constituency Assistant to Honourable Felix Collins MHA for Placentia - St. Mary’s 709-729-6926 margcraniford@gov.nl.ca |
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Todd Hickey Manager HSF Ocean Products Limited 709-579-8777 todd@hsfgroup.ca |
2014 06 20 11:20 a.m.