News Release

SHIPPAGAN (GNB) – The provincial and federal governments are investing $1.9 million to help implement five innovative projects and new technologies in the fishing industry.

The contribution comes from the Atlantic Fisheries Fund, which is funded by both governments and aims to increase opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada.

“The aquaculture and fisheries sectors are important contributors to the New Brunswick economy,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Ross Wetmore. “These projects are exactly what was intended by the Atlantic Fisheries Fund to drive innovation and improvement and bring our fish and seafood sectors to a new level.”

Receiving funding are:

• Valorēs (Coastal Zones Research Institut Inc.), which will develop and test an innovative system for handling snow crab, from the point of capture to arrival at the processing plant. This system should eliminate excessive handling and thereby improve the product’s overall quality and its value on international markets; improve work safety on ships and wharves; and establish a product traceability system.

• Pêcheries APMG Inc. and Sir Eldon Ltd., which will both adopt new technology, enabling shrimp harvesters to optimize their fishing efforts, reduce the consumption of fuel, and collect ocean temperature data.

• Pêcheries LeBreton & Fils Ltée, which will install and implement new cooling technology in its seafood processing facility to enhance product quality, decrease energy consumption and extend the shelf life of its products.

• The Association coopérative des pêcheurs de l’Île Ltée, which will purchase specialized equipment to improve its shrimp oil extraction process and develop a commercialization strategy for this product.

“The fishing industry is vital in our region,” said Acadie-Bathurst MP Serge Cormier. “Funding these projects will help boost innovation in this sector and ensure we can continue to deliver high-quality products recognized around the world.”

Cormier attended for federal Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.

Established in 2017, the Atlantic Fisheries Fund will continue to invest in projects during its seven-year lifespan. Applications are accepted from the commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, universities and academia, and industry associations and organizations, including research institutions.