Ottawa, province receives $2.2-million funding boost from Lobst er industry:The Atlantic lobster industry received a major boost Thursday, Feb. 18, with the announcement that more than $2 million in funding has been earmarked for new processing technology and product development by ACOA, the province of P.E.I. and the P.E.I. Atlantic Shrimp Corporation.
Funding details were announced at a news conference in Charlottetown that attracted wide representation from both the fishery and the processing sector.
Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea, acting on behalf of ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield, announced a federal investment of $1.6 million. Provincial Fisheries Minister Neil LeClair committed another $500,000, while Bob Johnston, president of the Atlantic Shrimp Corporation, announced a corporate contribution of $95,000.
The P.E.I. Seafood Processors Association will invest the $2.2 million in two projects.
Funding for the first project will enable industry leaders to work with the Food Technology Centre and Holland College to develop four-to-six new products over the next year that will benefit the entire Atlantic lobster industry.
The second project, geared towards the needs of lobster processors, will focus on innovation in processing techniques and equipment and is aimed at lowering production costs and increasing labour productivity.
Shea said Ottawa’s financial support for these initiatives was a reflection of Ottawa’s commitment to the lobster industry. “Our government continues to listen to the concerns of the lobster industry and to support projects that will provide long-term solutions to the challenges caused by the global economic downturn,” said Shea. “Our commitment of $1.6 million to these projects will support product innovation and the development of new processing technology that will deliver benefits for the entire Atlantic lobster industry.”
The minister said Canada’s Economic Action Plan, through the Community Adjustment Fund’s $8-million lobster initiative, supports projects in new product innovation, identification of new markets, and research and development to provide a productive and sustainable future for the region’s lobster fishery.
Provincial Fisheries Minister Neil LeClair said the development of new products and technologies is key to increasing the lobster industry’s competitiveness and improved returns to fishers and processors. “One of the objectives of the provincial government’s five-point lobster plan is to improve the marketability of our lobster products,” LeClair said.
The provincial funding announced by LeClair falls under government’s Rural Action Plan, which supports the development of the primary industries and economic opportunities in rural communities.
Bob Johnston, president of the P.E.I. Atlantic Shrimp Corp., said the company’s contribution to these two projects is in keeping with the company’s objective of furthering the development and maintenance of the seafood processing industry.
The development of new products and improving processing efficiency relate directly to this objective, Johnston said.
Olin Gregan, executive director of the P.E.I. Seafood Processors Association, said the association was pleased to receive funding for both projects. “We are pleased to have funding for new product innovation for Atlantic Canadian lobsters, and new innovation for lobster processing techniques,” said Gregan. “ These two projects will help a great deal with the future of the Atlantic Canada lobster processing industry.”
Gregan said the funding has major significance for the industry which has experienced a tough year. “We’re trying to get over a number of humps and hurdles,” Gregan said.
He said the association has been working closely with both the federal and provincial governments to address a number of issues.
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