Canada Invests In Aquaculture

When our government invests in aquaculture, we are investing in a brighter future and stronger economy for Canada’s rural and coastal communities,” said Minister Shea.

“Our government is supporting Canada’s aquaculture industries growth to create and protect jobs and support the livelihoods of coastal Canadians.”

One project in Newfoundland and Labrador is receiving funding from the Government of Canada through the Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program (AIMAP). Newfoundland Aqua Services Ltd. received $400,000 for the development and evaluation of a land-based net washing technology. This funding helped to leverage an additional $250,000 from other sources.

Projects funded through AIMAP aim to offer growth opportunities for Canadian aquaculture operations. In addition to the funds being announced today, two previous rounds of AIMAP funding totaling $9.4 million have been made available over the past two years to fund innovative aquaculture projects that contribute to the industry’s growth, through sustainable production, increased diversification and/or green technology.

AIMAP funding helps recipients plan, manage and complete aquaculture projects. This federal funding is also intended to leverage investments from a variety of public and private sector sources, promoting collaborative efforts in Canada's aquaculture industry and minimising the duplication of effort.

The BC Salmon Farmers Association, along with two of their members, has received $710,000 in funding from the federal government for projects that will help to improve current operations and investigate new technologies.

"These projects are examples of how BC's salmon farmers are always looking for ways to improve their operations so they can continue to be sustainable in the far future," said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director of the BCSFA.

The $59,000 granted to the association will pair with $159,000 contributed by industry to update the web-based Fish Health Information System which carries the fish health database.

"This is an important part of the Fish Health Management Programme, which is a great example of well-thought out, co-operative and productive regulation," said Ms Walling.

Marine Harvest Canada received $250,000 from AIMAP for a research project exploring the treatment and sterilization of fish processing wastewater and $200,000 to test alternate off-shore salmon cage nets against traditional nylon nets. Those grants will match $3.4 million in funding from other sources including the company.

Mainstream Canada received $200,000 to install a new technology for treating wastewater at their processing plant in Tofino. Those funds will support $903,000 in other leveraged contributions.