Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Keith Hutchings, has announced a $7 million investment in aquaculture in the Canadian province.
Minster Hutchings made the announcement at last week’s Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association Annual Conference and Trade Show
The investment includes a $2 million contribution to help build a new facility for cleaning and repairing nets, and a recent contribution of $4.8 million for a newly opened biosecure wharf in Harbour Breton, as well as $200,000 to help the industry undertake a bay management plan.
The land-based net washing facility will be located in Milltown, and will play a key role in protecting fish health as it will ensure nets are sanitised and in good condition. The biosecure wharf in Harbour Breton is used exclusively by the aquaculture industry to reduce the possibility of cross contamination by other vessels, and the bay management project will help industry players place new sites and schedule fallowing more effectively.
Minister Hutchings also noted that a document summarising the feedback received during the aquaculture consultations will be released in the coming days. All feedback received through the consultation process will be used to update the Provincial Government’s aquaculture strategic plan, which will guide future policy and investment decisions aimed at fostering the success of the industry. The updated plan, Vision 2018, will be finalised this year.
