Michael Olscamp and Paul Robichaud announce provincial investment of $840,000 towards rationalization of shrimp fleet
LAMEQUE - New Brunswick's shrimp industry, which generates $82 million a year in product sales, received a significant boost this week with the announcement that the province is investing $840,000 to help in the rationalization of the traditional shrimp fishing fleet in the province.
New Brunswick Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp and Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud were in Lameque Tuesday to make the announcement. The provincial funds, from the Regional Development Corporation, represent 30 per cent of the total investment with the balance coming from the harvesting and processing industries. The Fisheries Renewal Framework outlines how balancing harvesting capacity with the availability of the resource is one of the ways government can support an industry-led strategy.
"This is an exciting day for the traditional shrimp industry," said Olscamp. "This investment will help ensure the sustainability of a fishery that is contributing to the ongoing economic and social base of coastal communities and the province."
Robichaud, who represents the Lameque-Shippagan-Miscou in the Legislature agreed, saying "rationalization is a key step to guarantee the long-term viability of the shrimp industry.
"I am pleased to see industry working together to secure allocations to be shared among remaining shrimp fishermen and for the resource to be processed here in northern New Brunswick," he added.
Also present at the announcement were Jean Lanteigne, director general of Fédération Régionale Acadienne des Pêcheurs Professionnels Inc., and Paul-Orel Chiasson of Association Coopérative des Pêcheurs de L'Île ltée.
"We are pleased to have been able to successfully work with the provincial government on this important initiative," said Lanteigne. "The rationalization plan will make it possible for our shrimpers to remain viable."
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