The Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) aquaculture sector just got a financial boost in federal funding that will support both finfish and shellfish farming projects in the country.
Fifteen P.E.I. aquaculture companies are getting nearly USD 7 million (EUR 6.3 million) from the federal government. The funding, with an exact total of USD 6,979,864 (EUR 6,319,875), was recently announced in Charlottetown.
The money is coming from the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, a partnership between the federal and provincial governments to invest in the seafood industry. MP Sean Casey and P.E.I.'s Minister of Fisheries Jamie Fox made the announcement in August.
“Our government is committed to working with our partners to make Canada’s fish and seafood sector more innovative, productive and sustainable,” Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, said at the announcement.
“The global market is demanding sustainably sourced, high quality seafood products and the Atlantic Fisheries Fund is helping to drive innovation in this sector, helping Canada meet these demands. This will boost the economy and create middle-class jobs for the communities of PEI,” Wilkinson added.
The Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance Inc. will receive USD 4.8 million (EUR 4.3 million). It will deliver education sessions and workshops, as well as a three-year program for oyster growers to work with new equipment and operations.
"These projects funded by the Atlantic Fisheries Fund will support processors in maximizing returns for their products and, in turn, will strengthen the economy and create jobs here on Prince Edward Island," said Casey in a news release.
The companies had to apply for the funding and meet certain criteria. They were all investing some of their own money to be eligible.
Halibut P.E.I. will work on establishing a supply chain to further develop a halibut aquaculture industry with USD 1 million (EUR 905,000) from the fund, the CBC News reported recently.
Coles' Mussel Farm Ltd. is getting USD 75,908 (EUR 68,725) for new equipment to improve the mussel socking process.
The remaining 12 companies were all related to the oyster industry.
- Raspberry Point Oyster Co Inc. will receive USD 199,800 (EUR 180,889) to split equally between their Cymbria and North Rustico operations.
- Aaron Sweet will receive USD 99,900 (EUR 86,629) to construct an off-grid floating oyster nursery.
- North Shore Oyster Co. Inc. will receive USD 99,900 (EUR 86,629) for new equipment for their oyster wash and processing facility.
- Cascumpec Bay Oyster Co. will receive USD 99,900 (EUR 86,629) to adapt a wet storage system for oysters.
- J.P. Oysters Ltd. will receive USD 95,114 (EUR 89,733) for the construction of a self-contained upweller system.
- Wallace Shellfish Inc. will receive USD 93,866 (EUR 84,978) for new equipment for oyster farming operations.
- Leslie Hardy & Sons Ltd. will receive USD 83,695 (EUR 75,770) to buy oyster holding pods and an automatic oyster bagger.
- Brackley Bay Oyster Company Inc. will receive USD 77,480 (EUR 70,143) to purchase equipment for its new oyster processing facility.
- Cascumpec Seed Oyster Inc. will receive USD 71,765 (EUR 64,970) to conduct research on single seed hatchery methods.
- Oyster Cage Commander Inc. will receive USD 65,294 (EUR 59,117) to adopt new equipment.
- Atlantic Aqua Farms Ltd. will receive USD 65,142 (EUR 58,979) to build a land-based oyster nursery.
- Hackett's Golden Oysters Ltd. will receive USD 39,600 (EUR 35,854) to build and outfit an oyster grading platform.
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