Nova Scotia''s seafood industry will be receiving a major financial boost, the province has announced.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, in partnership with the Department of Economic Development, will invest $3.75 million in the seafood industry over the next three years. The funds will be provided through the Community Development Trust Fund, which was established to help communities and workers hard hit by economic challenges.
Cost-shared funding will be used to diversify markets and develop new products, improve productivity and product quality and to meet consumer expectations about food sustainability.
"Nova Scotia is Canada's leading seafood exporting province and the industry provides thousands of jobs in our coastal communities; we want to keep it that way," said Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Ron Chisholm. "The government recognises the importance of the seafood sector to the province and the need for an industry driven renewal process to meet the current challenges."
Funding will be available to eligible applicants in three areas:
• Diversifying into new export markets
• Adopting new technology and processing techniques that enhance value and reduce costs
• Seeking independent eco-certification of key fisheries and reducing the use of fossil fuels in seafood production
Support is available to seafood processors, harvesters, industry groups and organisations, seafood businesses and co-operatives.
