LAMÈQUE (GNB) – The Island Fishermen Cooperative Association Ltd. will improve the productivity of its fishmeal plant and enhance product quality thanks to support from the provincial and federal governments.

"Jobs and the economy are our government's top priorities," said Natural Resources Minister Paul Robichaud, who is also the minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation. "Our investment in this productivity improvement project will create greater opportunities ?at the? Island Fishermen Cooperative and in northern New Brunswick."

The project involves modernizing the organization's fishmeal plant by acquiring refurbished equipment. It's part of the organization's strategy to continue to produce value-added products from fishing wastes for agricultural and aquaculture purposes.

"Our government understands the importance of investing in core industries on the Acadian Peninsula in order to create jobs and economic growth in the region," said federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea. "Today's investment in the Island Fishermen Cooperative Association Ltd. will boost the organization's productivity and product quality, which will better position Atlantic Canada to succeed nationally and internationally, taking full advantage of the new Canadian trade agreements with the European Union and South Korea."

Shea attended on behalf of Rob Moore, federal minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

"Modernizing our fishmeal plant will allow us to develop a higher quality product and obtain certification that will help us access the lucrative European Union markets," said Marcel Duguay, general manager of Island Fishermen Cooperative Association Ltd. "Production using modern equipment will result in significant energy savings, which will enhance the value of our products."

The provincial government is contributing $125,000 towards the project, the federal government, through ACOA's Business Development Program, is providing $250,415.

30-05-14