August 6, 2020

England funds local aquaculture initiatives

The English government has announced a US$725,000 aid for the aquaculture sector to create jobs and help operators expand their product lines and markets, VOCM reported.

Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, announced a US$500,000 budget for the purchase of a 32-foot, customised, multi-purpose seaworthy vessel. This will enable access to remote aquaculture sites in rough weather conditions to provide site assessment, inspections, oceanography research, laboratory and health surveillance activities, such as sample collection.

US$200,000 is allotted for upgrades to Fisheries and Aquaculture Branch laboratory facilities in St. Alban's to support aquatic animal health requirements for the aquaculture sector.

Upgrades include: removing and disposing of current infrastructure, including second-floor water and live holding systems; establishing an area for laboratory, storage and administrative office space; and positioning an effluent discharge disinfection and neutralisation system on the ground floor to meet laboratory ISO accreditation requirements.

The remaining US$25,000 will be to support the Expression of Interest process to identify and select a proponent for salmon aquaculture development in the bays west of Bay d'Espoir towards Burgeo and Port aux Basques.

Minister Byrne says that as the province works to become a world leader in sustainable aquaculture production, this investment will help explore new areas for development.