Minister Applauds Aquaculture Funding

FISHERIES/AQUACULTURE Minister Applauds Aquaculture Funding

Nova Scotia's aquaculture industry expects to benefit from a recent $75 million federal funding announcement.

The money will go to enhance the development of fish farming in Canada, said Ernest Fage, Nova Scotia's Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.

"I am pleased that the federal government has invested the money in the Canadian aquaculture industry. This investment can only be beneficial to our provincial aquaculture industry," said Mr. Fage.

Aquaculture in Nova Scotia is a relatively new and growing industry. In 1994 the fish farming industry contributed $7 million to the provincial economy. Last year it generated $34 million.

Provincial aquaculture sites have also become important employers. More than 1,100 people in coastal areas of the province find themselves working in this relatively new fisheries sector.

Nationwide, aquaculture products are valued at $443 million while employing more than 14,000 people. Aquaculture is also based outside of coastal areas and is located in 10 provinces and the Yukon.

The provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is the lead agency of aquaculture development in Nova Scotia and works closely with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in areas of research, environmental protection, navigation and interaction with the wild fisheries.

"I fully support the environmental assessment process and the navigation role the federal department plays, and for sometime now I have been asking the federal Fisheries Minister Herb Dhaliwal to reinvest in these areas. In particular, to speed up the application review process for the new and expanding aquaculture sites," said Mr. Fage.

"We have more than 70 applicants wanting to develop aquaculture sites and none of them can be processed without a proper environmental assessment, which in the past could take up to three years. This length of time is unacceptable to those wanting to start their business. Maybe this funding will help."

The federal funding will be distributed to three areas: $32.5 million for research and development; $20 million for human health programs; and $22.5 million for an improved management and regulatory framework.

"Nova Scotia's aquaculture strength is in its diversity of its species so continued research into areas such as new species development, environmental sustainability, and fish health will help make Nova Scotia a leader in aquaculture," said Mr. Fage.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The federal announcement can be found on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans website at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca .