The BC Salmon Farmers Association, along with two of their members, has received $710,000 in funding from the federal government for projects that will help to improve current operations and investigate new technologies.
The funding, from the Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program (AIMAP), was announced by Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans in St. John's Newfoundland this morning.
"These projects are examples of how BC's salmon farmers are always looking for ways to improve their operations so they can continue to be sustainable in the far future," said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director of the BCSFA.
The $59,000 granted to the association will pair with $159,000 contributed by industry to update the web-based Fish Health Information System which carries the fish health database.
"This is an important part of the Fish Health Management Program, which is a great example of well-thought out, co-operative and productive regulation," said Walling.
Marine Harvest Canada received $250,000 from AIMAP for a research project exploring the treatment and sterilization of fish processing wastewater and $200,000 to test alternate off-shore salmon cage nets against traditional nylon nets. Those grants will match $3.4 million in funding from other sources including the company.
Mainstream Canada received $200,000 to install a new technology for treating wastewater at their processing plant in Tofino. Those funds will support $903,000 in other leveraged contributions.
"When our government invests in aquaculture, we are investing in a brighter future and stronger economy for Canada's rural and coastal communities," said Shea in a press release. "Our government is supporting Canada's aquaculture industries growth to create and protect jobs and support the livelihoods of coastal Canadians."
BC's salmon farming industry employs 6,000 people directly and indirectly and contribute $800-million to the provincial economy. Farmed Atlantic salmon is the province's largest agricultural export.
To see the full DFO release, click here.
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For more information:
Colleen Dane
Communications Manager, BCSFA
(250) 286-1636 x225
www.salmonfarmers.org
BC Salmon Farmers are now on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SalmonFarmers)
and Twitter (@BCSalmonFarmers)
