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Dhaliwal Announces $75 Million
for Sustainable and
Environmentally sound
Aquaculture in Canada
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal,
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today
announced an investment of $75 million over the next five years
to enhance the sustainable development of Canada's aquaculture industry
-- the farming of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants.
"My goal is to see Canada set an example of
balanced development that will enable us to
lead the world in sustainable, environmentally sound aquaculture,"
Minister Dhaliwal said. "This $75 million in new funding will ensure
that Canada produces the best possible products under the safest and most
environmentally friendly conditions. The investment announced today
aims to strengthen the ties among all levels of
government, the scientific and academic
communities, and the industry itself, to ensure the development of
a competitive and diverse aquaculture industry."
The Program for Sustainable Aquaculture in Canada
will provide the industry and the
government with opportunities to conduct leading-edge research and
development; strengthen measures to further protect human health through an
enhanced shellfish water quality monitoring
program; and implement a legislative and
regulatory framework for the industry. At the same time, investments
in technological innovations will be key to continued improvements
in productivity and diversification of the industry.
"In just 17 years, aquaculture has become the
source of one-quarter of the world's fish
production for food and is now the world's fastest growing food production
sector. It is an exciting industry that complements Canada's traditional
wild fishery," Mr. Dhaliwal said. "There are vibrant aquaculture
enterprises in all parts of Canada, providing jobs
and a more secure future for many rural and
coastal communities"
"I am delighted to see this firm endorsement
of our Canadian aquaculture industry by the
Minister," said federal Commissioner for Aquaculture Development,
Yves Bastien. "This announcement is also a major step forward in
providing this evolving sector with an enabling legal and policy framework
that will ensure a sustainable aquaculture industry in Canada."
"Aquaculture is an important part of Canada's
economy, and is growing at about 15 per
cent per year," said Anne McMullin, President of the Canadian Aquaculture
Industry Alliance (CAIA), which represents aquaculture interests across
the country. "This support from the federal government and its commitment
to research and development will help the aquaculture sector
improve its environmental performance and achieve
its full economic potential."
Minister Dhaliwal's announcement includes:
The ACRDP will provide funds for research and
development projects that are proposed and
jointly funded by private sector partners and, in some instances,
by the provinces.
The department also recognizes the industry
priority for a comprehensive fish health
management program. Consultations with relevant stakeholders will continue
over the coming weeks in order to complete a program proposal in
the Fall.
This investment for aquaculture development
supports the Federal Aquaculture Development
Strategy and the commitment made by all provincial and territorial
ministers last September during the Canadian Council of Fisheries
and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) meeting in Quebec City.
"My provincial colleagues and I are serious
about the future of Canadian aquaculture.
Together, we have encouraged consultation, harmonization of policies
and collaboration, and have made real progress in reaching our goal,"
Minister Dhaliwal said. "We are committed to the development of the
aquaculture industry in the context of
conservation, and in balance with the
interests of other users of our marine
ecosystems."
In 1998, the Canadian aquaculture industry
produced approximately 92,000 tonnes of
product valued at $443 million, which represents 27 per cent of total
landed value of Canadian fish and seafood production. The sector currently
employs more than 14,000 people. Approximately 7,000 jobs consist of
direct employment within the fish and shellfish culture sectors. The balance
is composed of indirect jobs in the related aquaculture supplies and services
sectors. One-half of the industry workers are under 30 years old. The
majority of workers live in rural or coastal communities. If Canada meets
its production predictions, the industry will exceed $1.5 billion in
production sales by the year 2005.
The Program for Sustainable Aquaculture in Canada
complements programs administered by
Environment Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Industry
Canada as well as other federal initiatives such as AquaNet, which is
Canada's newest federal Network of Centers of Excellence (NCE).
This announcement is subject to obtaining
appropriate spending authorities.
Pictures available at www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Web Sites:
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada: www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Office of the Commissioner for Aquaculture
Development (OCAD): www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ocad-bcda/index.html
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA): www.aquaculture.ca
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT :
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Office of the Minister
Heather Bala
Director of Communications
(613) 996-0076
or
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Liseanne Forand
Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy
(613) 993-1808
INDUSTRY : GOV
SUBJECT : NWS
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