The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick have announced funding support to five organisations through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, with a total of C$1.9 million supporting the implementation of innovative projects and new technologies in the fishing industry.
‘Innovation in the Atlantic Canada fish and seafood sector is essential – a sector that generates important job opportunities for small coastal and Indigenous communities across Atlantic Canada,’ said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
‘These initiatives are examples on how we are contributing to protect our fisheries and ocean environment, and ensure that they remain sustainable and healthy for future generations.’
Valorēs (Costal Zones Research Institut Inc.) will develop and test an innovative system for handling snow crab from the point of capture to arrival at the processing plant. This system will eliminate excessive handling and thereby improve overall product quality and its value on international markets. It will also help to improve work safety on ships and on wharves, and will establish a product traceability system.
Pêcheries APMG Inc and Sir Eldon Ltd. will both adopt a new technology – wireless sensors for monitoring trawls, find lost gear and make adjustments in cross currents – enabling shrimp harvesters to optimise their fishing efforts, reduce the consumption of fuel, and collect scientific data related to water temperature data.
Pêcheries LeBreton & Fils Ltée will optimise its operations with the installation and implementation of new cooling technology in its seafood processing facility. This new technology is expected to enhance product quality, decrease energy consumption and extend the shelf life of its products.
The Association coopérative des pêcheurs de l‘île Ltée will purchase specialised equipment to improve its shrimp oil extraction process and develop a commercialisation strategy for this product.
‘The aquaculture and fisheries sectors are important contributors to the New Brunswick economy. These projects are exactly what was intended by the Atlantic Fisheries Fund to drive innovation and improvement and bring our fish and seafood sectors to a new level,’ commented Ross Wetmore, New Brunswick’s Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.
The contribution derives from the $400 million Atlantic Fisheries Fund, jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, and focuses on increasing opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada.
The Atlantic Fisheries Fund will continue to invest in projects over the seven-year life of the programme. The commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, universities and academia and industry associations and organisations, including research institutions, may apply.
