Canada’s Department of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard (DFO) has announced the establishment of a CAD 20 million (USD 16.2 million, EUR 13 million) Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program (FACTAP) to support the use and implementation of clean technology into day-to-day operations.
Potential projects could include helping fish harvesters convert their vessels to clean alternative fuels and reducing energy use on aquaculture sites.
The funds are available to companies, individuals, indigenous groups (including associations and communities), as well as industry or processional associations involved in harvesting, processing, and aquaculture. And the department is promising a 90-day decision window.
The funds will be available for four years and rebate awarded on up to 75 percent of the cost of the improvement. To qualify for FAClTAP, an applicant has to also have provincial or territorial approval for 10 percent of the investment.
The DFO spokesperson Sarah Gilbert said this 10 percent local requirement ensures that federal and provincial and territorial priorities are aligned.
“Provincial and territorial governments have been consulted and duly informed about this federal program requirement. This is a mandatory condition that must be met in order to receive funding from FACTAP,” Gilbert said. “[While] FACTAP will cover up to 75 percent of the project funding, it does not include the provincial or territorial 10 percent. Overall, a project can have up to 90 percent of the funding sourced from government (including federal, provincial, territorial and municipal).”
While there is neither a list of approved or ineligible projects, Gilbert said the projects must be focused on market-ready technology.
“[That means] they are implementing proven technology, processes or practices into their operations,” Gilbert said. “FACTAP does not provide funding for research, development or demonstration. However, it should also be noted that this funding supports adapting these clean technologies and measures in order to use them in Canadian operating conditions.”
