Regional Approach Sought for Aquaculture Industry
A recent decision by the federal government to ignore recommendations of a task force and offer $20 million in financial assistance to New Brunswick fish farmers is unfair to the aquaculture industries in Nova Scotia and other Atlantic provinces, says Nova Scotia's minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
"I am very disappointed and discouraged by the action of the federal government to go against a task force recommendation that encourages a regional approach to funding," Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, said today, July 14.
A task force representing three Atlantic provincial governments, the federal government, and the New Brunswick Salmon Growers Association was established to look into challenges facing the aquaculture industry and how best to help the industry grow. The report was finalized in April 2005.
"When the fisheries ministers met in Nova Scotia last month we expressed our desire for a regional approach and yet the federal government decided to go outside the recommendations of the very task force it participated in," said Mr. d'Entremont.
Key elements of the task force report included looking at ways to help stabilize the industry, respond to market challenges, and enhance a sustainable salmon and alternate finfish species industry.
Salmon farming is an important sector in Atlantic Canada. Farmed salmon sales in Atlantic Canada peaked at $213 million in 2002 but have steadily declined since. The industry has the potential to expand to produce alternate species, including cod, halibut and haddock.
Some of the industry's challenges include extreme weather events, fish health and misinformation in the public domain about the safety of farmed fish.
"I continue to seek fair support for our fish farmers," said Mr. d'Entremont. "We have tried to work together and come up with a plan to help each other. The federal government has reacted by addressing one problem in one province over others and that's not right."
The task force report can be found on the website at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca .