Reflecting rapid changes in the seafood sector, the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick are pushing through funding through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) for projects in New Brunswick’s fishing and seafood sector.
A total contribution of over $38 million is earmarked to help harvesters and processors modernise and test new equipment as well as improve productivity, and increase ecologically friendly practices in the New Brunswick fish and seafood sector.
‘Investments through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund help our coastal communities thrive in the fishing and seafood sector,’ said Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier.
‘We are proud to contribute to innovative and new technologies to help make the sector more sustainable, efficient, and ensure that our seafood is of the highest quality for the global seafood market.’
This funding is to support new infrastructure, innovation and scientific partnerships in 31 projects to advance the development and adoption of processing technologies and product quality, 21 projects to enable the adoption of new technology and processes to support sustainable development of the oyster, salmon and artic char aquaculture sectors, 16 projects to procure new equipment and develop technologies to improve onboard handling techniques, data collection and monitoring, and four projects crossing over multiple sectors, designed to help companies in the adoption and development of new technologies and support industry.
The contribution is from the $400 million Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF), funded by the federal and provincial governments. The AFF focuses on increasing opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada.
Introduced in 2017, the Atlantic Fisheries Fund will continue to invest in projects until 31st March 2026, at which time all projects receiving funding must be completed. The commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, universities and academia, and industry associations and organisations, including research institutions, may apply for funding.
‘Our fisheries and aquaculture sectors are a $1.7-billion industry that supports the economy and sustains New Brunswick’s rural, coastal and Indigenous communities,’ commented New Brunswick’s Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Pat Finnigan.
‘The Atlantic Fisheries Fund enables fish harvesters and processors to modernise their operations, adopt innovative practices, and improve productivity. We are strongly committed to supporting the resilience and long-term viability of these sectors.’
