On-going
Way Forward Commitment:
A viable commercial fishing industry is important to the development and sustainability of our economy, in particular in rural communities where the fishery is often a main employer. In 2018-19, our government will engage industry stakeholders, the federal government and other provincial and territorial governments to seek market access and value-added opportunities for fish and seafood products to increase employment and the economic benefits of available fish resources. We will also hold a focus group with representatives of the fishing industry to discuss the opportunities presented by the Atlantic Fisheries Fund.
What We’ve Accomplished:
- On December 5, 2018, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honorable Jonathan Wilkinson, joined by provincial and territorial partners launched the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund, a new cost-shared fund (70% federal and 30% provincial territorial) to promote market access and development for the fish and seafood industry. The fund will enable provinces and territories to support their industries’ priority projects and help Canadians working in the fish and seafood sector by creating jobs and developing more opportunities for Canadian products.
- The $42.85 million program will support the fish and seafood sectors in all participating provinces and territories by encouraging industry collaboration to promote high quality products.
- On December 5, 2018, the Provincial Government announced, in partnership with the Government of Canada, funding to support the fish and seafood sectors through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund.
- More than $18 million will fund investments and innovation in harvesting and handling technologies, seafood processing automation and modernization, and sustainable aquaculture production. The funding will also support fisheries research to increase our understanding of the impact of climate change on the productivity of our fisheries; including:
- $3.7 million for the harvesting sector (54 projects) – new technology to improve on-board handling, harvesting efficiencies and quality;
- $4.6 million for the processing sector (five projects) – new technology to improve product yield, quality and processing efficiencies;
- $1.5 million for the aquaculture sector (four projects) – new technology for the shellfish sector and research for the salmonid sector;
- $4.5 million innovation R&D (Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation – CCFI) – a three year commitment to support CCFI’s organizational infrastructure to engage with industry and develop and manage R&D projects to improve industry’s competitiveness, operational capabilities, efficiency and sustainability; and
- $4.35 million science partnerships (Centre for Fisheries Ecosystems Research – CFER) – a five year commitment to improve stock assessment methodologies as well as research the implications of ecosystem changes for the province’s fisheries. This will support decision-making processes with respect to the sustainable management of our fisheries resources, including the incorporation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. It will also support industry’s efforts in achieving and retaining fisheries eco-certification.
News Releases: