NovaNews' Andy Walker says that Federal ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield was in Charlottetown recently to announce the $800,000 contribution to the programme. Industry groups in the four provinces have formed a Mussel Industry Council to oversee the effort.
According to NovaNews, the programme will be promoted to the public through a website, which is expected to be up and running by June. Ashfield said by increasing the awareness and consumption of mussels, the hope is demand will increase in the marketplace and increase product value.
“The Government of Canada understands the important role aquaculture plays in the economy of Atlantic Canada,” the minister said. “Our investment will help support the growth and sustainability of this vital industry.”
The new initiative will be sustained through a 2.5 cent per pound levy applied to all sales by the members of the MIC. The Council is made up of industry and non-government organizations from the four Atlantic provinces and Quebec.
Atlantic Canada's Mussel Industry Brought Together
CANADA - Atlantic Canada's mussel industry will be brought together by a series of new initiatives.
