Canada.- Building on commitments made during the recent Aquaculture Industry Summit held in Gander this week to support growth in the sector, the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today announced over $35,000 from the Business Development Support Program for Merasheen Oyster Farms.
The funding will assist the company with continuous socking technology transfer of blue mussels. This cultivation method is more efficient and less labour intensive, and will help improve mussel product quality through the introduction of a proven technology. Today’s announcement will also allow Merasheen Oyster Farms to transfer mussel seed from Notre Dame Bay to an ice-free growing site Placentia Bay which will enable the company to supply product to its customers during winter months when harvesting can be difficult due to poor ice conditions.
Prior to the recent aquaculture summit, Minister Mitchelmore toured the largest blue mussel operation in the province, Badger Bay Mussel Farms. Merasheen Oyster Farms is a joint venture between Badger Bay Mussel Farms and HSF Ocean Products Limited. The minister was joined by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources; the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services; Derrick Bragg, Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Land Resources; Derek Bennett, Parliamentary Secretary for Children, Seniors and Social Development; and Brian Warr, MHA for Baie Verte-Green Bay.
As part of The Way Forward, the Provincial Government is directly engaging the aquaculture, agriculture, and technology sectors to address industry needs in ways that result in new employment and economic activity throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The Provincial Government and the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association have committed to a shared goal of growing salmon production to 50,000 metric tonnes annually, and growing mussel production to 10,750 metric tonnes annually. In achieving these targets, the number of year-round jobs supported by aquaculture will more than double, from 1,000 to 2,100.
Quotes
“This investment will help diversify Merasheen Oyster Farms, and allow the company to provide additional high quality products into the marketplace while increasing overall exports for Newfoundland and Labrador. Today’s announcement builds on the aquaculture summit, and our government’s effort to work with industry to identify, create and establish ways to sustain and grow the aquaculture sector.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“Merasheen Oyster Farms is a growing commercial oyster producer in this province and an important employer in the region. This latest investment by the Provincial Government will allow the company to continue to diversify to meet industry demands. Further employment opportunities are anticipated once the new technology is implemented, and an improved product for the marketplace.”
Brian Warr
MHA Baie Verte-Green Bay
Aquaculture Industry Summit – www.gov.nl.ca/aquaculturesummit
Business Development Support Program – www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/programs/BIF.html
