Fisheries and Land Resources
April 04, 2017

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources:

Aquaculture Sector Sees Positive Growth in 2016

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update this Honourable House today on the significant growth in our province’s aquaculture industry.

In 2016, the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry achieved a record production value of $1.4 billion with the aquaculture sector accounting for almost 20 per cent of this total. This represents a market value of $276 million, up from $161 million in 2015, achieving a new milestone for our aquaculture industry.

Mr. Speaker, it is clear government’s strategic investments in support of aquaculture are providing real economic benefits for many rural communities throughout the province. We are delivering on government’s commitment as outlined in The Way Forward to support the industry to more than double the production for farmed salmon and mussels.

This government will continue to work with key industry partners including the Newfoundland and Labrador Aquaculture Association, mussel growers and producers, and aquaculture leaders including Northern Harvest Sea Farms, Cooke Aquaculture, Marine Harvest and potential new entrants to reach this goal.

Mr. Speaker, the industry is poised for even greater growth and we will continue to seek new markets and strengthen the industry for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Thank you.

2017 04 04                              2:00 p.m.