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The DFO has funded 19 projects in Canada’s four Atlantic Provinces through AIMAP. (Photo: PEI Aquaculture Alliance)
Funds bring aquaculture jobs
CANADA
Tuesday, February 09, 2010, 01:20 (GMT + 9)
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Gail Shea on Friday marked the success of the Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Programme (AIMAP).
AIMAP aims to improve the competitiveness and market value of the Canadian aquaculture industry by promoting an aquaculture sector that continuously grows and adopts innovative technologies and management techniques to improve its global competitiveness and environmental performance.
“[AIMAP] is about to complete its second year and it is clear that the programme is making a difference,” said Shea. “By investing in projects such as these, our government is strengthening an important industry that creates jobs for rural and coastal communities.”
DFO has funded 19 projects for CAD 2.3 million (USD 2.14 million) in Canada’s four Atlantic Provinces through AIMAP this year, part of the CAD 9 million (USD 8.4 million) AIMAP has committed to the aquaculture industry since 2008. For the next three years, AIMAP will be committing an additional CAD 14.1 million (USD 13.2 million).
The Prince Edward Island (PEI) aquaculture industry received CAD 614,231 (USD 573,084) for this year. These projects focused on improving its celebrated mussel farming industry plus innovations in raising halibut using water wells and lobster holding facilities.
Some of the four PEI projects funded also received contributions from the province and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
"The PEI Aquaculture Alliance is receiving CAD 266,000 (USD 248,181) to develop and commercialize four tunicate treatment systems for mussels," Shea announced, CBC News reports.
Tunicate, or sea squirt, compete for the same food as mussels and make them more complicated to harvest.
"Providing funding through the [AIMAP] helps create and protect jobs,” said Shea. “This funding demonstrates that we are taking strong action to help our economy navigate through these uncertain economic times."
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| A traditional oyster harvester using tongs. (Photo: PEI Aquaculture Alliance ) |
AIMAP projects have been successful at developing tools and techniques for the industry.
Brantville Aquaculture in Brantville, New Brunswick developed a unique gluing technique for oysters and King Aquaculture an automated technology for treating oysters and oyster gear. These projects in Eastern New Brunswick this year received a total of CAD 113,000 (USD 105,430) in AIMAP funding.
In southwest New Brunswick, six projects received a total of CAD 615,068 (USD 573,865) this year. Three projects in Nova Scotia received a total of CAD 332,950 (USD 310,646), four projects in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) got CAD 663,950 (USD 619,472) and ACOA is also contributing CAD 82,000 (USD 76,507) to one NL project.
Along with PEI’s contribution, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and NL also contributed funds supporting aquaculture projects in their respective provinces.
Related articles:
- British Columbia receives CAD 930K for eco-aquaculture projects
- Investments earmarked for deep water mussels
By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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