Fisheries and Aquaculture
March 23, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Vaughn Granter, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture:

Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program Supports Fish Harvesters

I rise in this Honourable House to recognize our government’s continuing contribution to the future of the fish harvesting sector in our province. As many know, the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program provides funding to support innovation in the seafood industry and has fostered growth for a number of years.

Mr. Speaker, since its inception in 2007, this program has invested an impressive total of approximately $13.4 million towards innovative projects in the seafood industry and I would like to draw attention to how this program has specifically benefited harvesters.

In support of the harvesting sector, the program has helped enable such endeavours as research for under-utilized species development, gear assessment and testing of trawls that reduce seabed impact and improve fuel efficiency, underwater camera research to monitor fish behaviour, development of on vessel whelk sorting technology and various projects related to resource sustainability and occupational safety.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to highlight that one third of all projects undertaken through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program has benefited the harvesting sector directly. Specifically, $4.6 million or 34 per cent of all funding under this program has supported harvesting projects.

The program has also supported the development of a great deal of work undertaken by the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation as well as the Marine Institute’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources in co-operation with harvesters. Through cooperation and collaboration between harvesters and academia, valuable research is being undertaken and shared for the benefit of the entire industry.

The seafood industry continues to be an important economic driver providing employment in more than 400 communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. Speaker, providing funding support to processors and harvesters encourages innovation and the pursuit of new opportunities. Our government is proud of the great work that has been accomplished through the Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program and will continue to work with all of our partners to strengthen our world-class seafood industry and to support continued economic and social benefits for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

2015 03 23                              1:50 p.m.