Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister, Sterling Belliveau announced yesterday, 23 December, $310,983 for seafood processors to diversify markets, improve productivity, and assess lobster fishing areas.
The investment is part of $3.75 million in seafood industry funding provided through the Community Development Trust Fund.
"Nova Scotia's seafood industry is a strong pillar of our rural coastal communities and contributes significantly to the provincial economy," said Mr Belliveau. "These projects will ensure the industry has a strong future with a focus on technology, market diversification, and productivity."
Funding will help the Lobster Fishing Area 34 Management Board of Yarmouth, to pre-assess all Scotia Fundy lobster against the Marine Stewardship Council standard.
Several businesses will use the funding to enhance productivity and for market diversification and technology. They are:
- Aquashell Holdings Inc., Wallace, Cumberland Co.
- Northsyde Processing Ltd., North Sydney, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
- Seastar Seafoods, Clarks Harbour, Shelburne Co.
- Nova Scotia Fish Packers, Yarmouth, Yarmouth Co.
- Cedar Bay Grilling Company, Blandford, Lunenburg Co.
- Ferguson's Lobster Ltd., Tangier, Halifax Regional Municipality
- Lobster World Inc., Jeddore, Halifax Regional Municipality
More information on the seafood industry funding programme is available at www.gov.ns.ca/fish/marine/ssrp .
The $34.9-million Community Development Trust Fund was established in 2008 by the federal government to help communities, sectors and workers hard hit by economic challenges.
The priorities of the Community Development Trust Fund are to enhance sustainable prosperity, diversify economic and trade opportunities; improve productivity, innovation and training; and assist communities with transition planning and help workers facing adjustment challenges.
More information on the Community Development Trust of Nova Scotia is available at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/cdtrust.
