Annual Aquaculture Harvest Festival

Yarmouth County's growing aquaculture industry will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, will acknowledge the area's contributions during the seventh annual Aquaculture Harvest Festival in Saint Anne-du-Ruisseau.

"The Yarmouth County industry contributes over $3 million to the province's $40-million aquaculture sector, and it is important to recognize this commitment and desire to see the industry grow," Mr. d'Entremont said.

Yarmouth County's aquaculture operators farm rainbow trout and American oysters, which they sell to national and international markets.

Mr. d'Entremont will attend the festival celebrations and present $500 bursaries to each of two high schools in Yarmouth County: Drumlin Heights Consolidated School and Ecole Secondaire de Par- En-Bas.

"The future success of aquaculture will depend largely on the education, skills and interest of young people. This bursary will hopefully assist those students with their studies," said Mr. d'Entremont.

Free seafood samples and local musical entertainment are part of the festival. A live-fish touch-tank and face painting will add to the fun for children.

The festival takes place from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Club Acadien, in Saint Anne-du-Ruisseau.