“The Provincial Government’s Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Programme is helping industry players throughout the province enhance their ability to compete globally. Supporting improvements to the operational efficiency of processing plants is vital to achieving maximum economic gains from our fishery, and with this commitment of more than C$155,000, two leading processors in this province will explore new equipment that could benefit the entire processing sector,” said Keith Hutchings, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
This project responds to previous research supported by the Provincial Government, which indicated that refrigeration systems were the largest consumers of electrical energy in processing plants. The participating companies, in consultation with the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, identified new automated refrigeration control systems that have the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption through the use of enhanced monitoring devices that optimize performance and save energy.
"Ocean Choice International is committed to environmental sustainability and this new technology enhancement to the refrigeration system will help us realize energy efficiencies and reduce our overall carbon footprint. We thank the Provincial Government for their assistance with this project, and for ongoing support for research and development initiatives," said Martin Sullivan, President and CEO, Ocean Choice International.
The installations will be required to meet applicable provincial regulations and will take approximately six weeks to complete. The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation will conduct further work to evaluate the systems once they have been installed.
“Allen’s Fisheries is pleased to pursue this research and development project, which has the potential to show processors throughout the province a new way to reduce energy costs, and also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced by processing activity. I greatly appreciate the cooperation and partnership we have enjoyed with the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, our counterparts in industry, and the Provincial Government in this project, and look forward to seeing the results,” said Richard Allen, Vice President, Allen’s Fisheries Limited.
Through sound fiscal management and responsible decisions, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is strengthening the business environment, encouraging the development of innovative industries, and building a vibrant economy.
