News Release

SHIPPAGAN (GNB) – The 51st New Brunswick Fisheries and Aquaculture Festival will be held from Saturday, July 14, to Sunday, July 22.

"This is one of the oldest festivals in New Brunswick," said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp. "Year after year, it celebrates the work of people involved directly or indirectly in the seafood industry, showcasing the high quality of our seafood products that are shipped around the world and that contribute to building a stronger provincial economy.

The festival promotes the fact that this quality is attributable to the work of fishermen, aquaculturists, processors and plant workers, mainly from our coastal and rural communities."

Again this year, the festival will include Fisheries and Aquaculture Day, Friday, July 20. This event will give the public an opportunity to meet staff at the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre, which accommodates employees of the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries and the Coastal Zones Research Institute. Visitors will also be able to meet representatives of the seafood, fisheries, and agriculture industries.

A number of demonstration and tasting stands related to aquaculture, fisheries, and agri-food activities will be featured during the day.

The value of the fish and seafood shipped by New Brunswick is estimated at $833 million annually. Lobster, snow crab, salmon and herring are the most exported species. Other species draw considerable interest as well. Oyster aquaculture is of great importance and represents major growth potential for communities on the province's east coast.