The Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University will open its first regional fisheries and marine centre in Lewisporte thanks to a combined investment of over $470,000 by the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.
The centre builds on the cluster of marine activity in Lewisporte and will invite spin-off benefits for local businesses and service industries.
"The establishment of this facility will grow the fisheries and marine sectors, strengthen community infrastructure and improve economic development capacity in Lewisporte and in communities throughout this region," said the Honourable Peter Penashue, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queens Privy Council. "It will create jobs, offer new educational options for students and help grow the local economy."
"Lewisporte is abuzz with commercial and recreational marine activity," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "Collectively, this activity is leading to new and exciting developments that will resonate in the area over the long term. The Marine Institute's decision to locate its first regional fisheries and marine centre in Lewisporte will capitalise on this activity and help grow the local marine sector through education, training, and applied research and development."
Located temporarily at the Dietrac College facility in Lewisporte, the Marine Institute's regional fisheries and marine centre will promote capacity development in education, training and applied research. In the short term, three positions will be required with more anticipated in the future.
The Marine Institute will additionally use this experience as a means of determining the overall effectiveness of establishing fisheries and marine centres in other parts of the province.
The Government of Canada's investment of $307,812 in this project was provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's investment of $169,271 was provided through the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund.
