With the fish and seafood industry being an integral contributor to local and regional economies, the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) have confirmed they are supporting companies in the province, through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF).

Canada

Canada

Applications are open to commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, universities and academia, and industry associations and organisations, including research institutions

Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Diane Lebouthillier and Zack Bell, Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture for Prince Edward Island, announced a total contribution of over CAD 7.6 million to 39 companies to help support innovation and infrastructure improvements in the provincial fish and seafood sector.

Recipients are adopting new technologies, and improving product quality, labour productivity and processing techniques.

Funded by the federal and provincial governments, the $400 million AFF focuses on increasing opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada.

Eligible projects must focus on:

  • Innovation – to support research and development of new innovations that contribute to sustainability of the fish and seafood sector, and to create partnerships and networks that aim to promote and encourage innovations in the sector
  • Infrastructure – to adopt or adapt new technologies, processes, or equipment to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the fish and seafood sector
  • Science Partnerships – fisheries and aquaculture industry-based partnerships with academia and institutions to enhance knowledge and understanding of the impacts of changing oceanographic conditions and sustainable harvesting technology

“Innovation is essential for our fish and seafood companies to remain competitive. That’s why the Government of Canada is committed to keeping this industry competitive and innovative through investments from the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. Supporting innovation and infrastructure in these local businesses will enable them to increase their productivity and promote their products here and abroad,” Lebouthillier said.

Bell said the AFF is an important initiative working to transform and drive innovation in the fish and seafood sectors.

“Prince Edward Island’s allocation has been almost fully subscribed which shows the commitment of both levels of government and industry to move the industry forward. We need to maintain our momentum by continuing to invest in projects that support the sustainable development and growth of the seafood industry in Prince Edward Island,” he said.

Kelloway highlighted that one of the goals of the fund is to encourage modern and innovative ways to harvest, process and deliver high-quality, sustainably-sourced fish and seafood from the region’s commercial fishery and aquaculture sectors.

“By investing in innovation, infrastructure and science, we can improve the quality, sustainability and marketability of our fish and seafood, and improve the sector’s capacity to access new markets,” he said.

Introduced in 2017, AFF will continue to invest in projects until 31 March 2026 at which time all projects receiving funding must be completed.

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