PEI lands research windfall

The PEI government has renewed funding for two programs supporting the island's aquaculture industry.

The Department of Fisheries announced on Wednesday a further $50,000 for the Aquaculture Technology Program, and another $93,800 will go toward the Aquaculture Futures Program.

Renewed funding for these two programs emphasizes government’s commitment to growing the Island’s primary industries, says Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Alan McIsaac.

“The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is committed to supporting our primary food production industries. Over a short period of time, aquaculture has grown to be an extremely successful industry in Prince Edward Island and has proven to be very important to our rural economy,” said Minister McIsaac.

“The entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of PEI’s aquaculturists, and supporting businesses, have made this industry successful. The two programs we are committing to today support this innovative spirit and continued development of this industry.”

The Aquaculture Technology Program assists aquaculture operations in the development or to adopt innovative technologies or equipment that will advance the industry. The Aquaculture Futures Program supports the aquaculture industry in funding towards research and development projects, local promotion, strategic planning, investigative travel and other initiatives that will assist in developing the entire industry.

“We are very happy that the provincial government continues to support the growing aquaculture sector,” said Matt Sullivan, Executive Director of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance.

“Our industry truly values this support to continue efforts in research and development, and innovation, to maintain PEI's position as a globally recognized centre for sustainable and great tasting seafood,” he added.

The aquaculture industry contributes more than $80 million to the island’s economy and employs more than 2,000 islanders in the mussel, oyster, finfish and processing sectors.