$588k grant to boost NL aquaculture labour market
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is to spend just over Can$588,000 (£343,000) to develop labour market information tools and products for the Canadian province’s aquaculture industry.
The investment, made through the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA), was announced last night by Al Hawkins, minister of advanced education, skills and labour, at the association’s Cold Harvest Conference and Trade Show in St John’s, NL.
The initiative comes on top of more than $396,000 provided to the NAIA to support the development of an Aquaculture Recruitment and Retention Strategy. Both actions were identified in the Aquaculture Sector Work Plan, a partnership between government and industry to accelerate growth in aquaculture in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The NL government has committed to achieving industry growth and food self-sufficiency targets of 50,000 tonnes for salmon and 10,750 tonnes for mussels. By 2022, targets for growth are expected to generate 1,100 person-years of employment and support the province in increasing food self-sufficiency from 10% to 20%.
‘Incredible potential’
“Aquaculture is a sustainable industry with the incredible potential to provide employment opportunities and economic growth,” said Hawkins.
“Much progress is being made on the recruitment and retention strategy being undertaken by the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association.
“The development of labour market tools specific to aquaculture will further help build the industry and create the jobs needed to support a bright future for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Gerry Byrne, minister of fisheries and land resources, said: “With our assets, attractive-yet-responsible regulatory environment, and extensive coastline, Newfoundland and Labrador is perfectly positioned to respond to further investment and this industry’s growing demand.”
