The federal and provincial governments hope a funding announcement made in Corner Brook Thursday will help better position in the fishery on the global marketplace.
The money, $641,518 in shared government funding through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, will go to eight fishing enterprises throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
The money to improve the effectiveness, quality and sustainability of the fish and seafood sector will go towards purchasing new automated longline hauler systems and insulated tubs.
Automated longline systems will allow the harvesters to move from a labour-intensive fishing operation to one that uses the latest technology. The equipment will improve the quality of fish landed and maximize the landed value.
The funding was the first announcement to be made under the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. The federal and provincial governments will make combined contributions of over $400 million to the fund in the next seven years.
The commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, universities and academia and industry associations and organizations, including research institutions, may apply for funding.
Eligible projects must focus on innovation, infrastructure or science partnerships.
What was said:
Federal Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O’Regan, who is also the associate minister of national defence, said the announcement is about recognizing government has a role to play in helping the fishing industry compete with the global market now and into the future.
“Investments like these encourage the next generation of harvesters and processors to throw their hats in the ring and compete,” O’Regan said during Thursday’s press conference. “Investments like these will be invaluable when it comes to the long-term sustainable management of our fisheries.”
Provincial Fisheries and Land Resources Minister Gerry Byrne said Newfoundland and Labrador is in a heated marketplace and up against countries such as the United States, Iceland, Norway and Russia in the fishing industry.
“We are involved in a very tight race for that marketplace,” said Byrne. “We will command that marketplace and we will do so in part and in measure by the announcements we’ve made today.”
Recipients
David Wyman Patey and Dean Patey
$36,986
St. Anthony, Northern Peninsula
Install automated longline hauler on existing vessel
Jocelyn & Brothers Ltd. And Derrick Bath
$99,960
Durrell, Twillingate
Install automated longline hauler on existing vessel
Dwight Russell Enterprises
$99,813
Mary’s Harbour, Labrador
Install automated longline hauler on existing vessel
Russell's Fisheries Ltd. and Allister Russell Labrador
$99,998
Mary’s Harbour, Labrador
Install slurry ice system on new vessel
David Michael Hickey
$99,000
Petty Harbour, Avalon Peninsula
Install automated longline hauler on existing vessel
Clarke and Sons Fishing
$99,977
St. John’s, Avalon Peninsula
Install slurry ice system on new vessel
Dion Lavers
$24,104
Port aux Choix, Northern Peninsula
Install automated longline hauler on existing vessel
Alton Rumbolt
$81,680
Mary’s Harbour, Labrador
Install automated longline hauler on existing vessel
