Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Greg Deighan today outlined details of further assistance the Province will be providing the Island oyster industry which has been impacted by high winter kill this year.
The Province has been an active partner with industry in development of the oyster sector in Prince Edward Island. The Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment invests $80,000 to $100,000 per year in oyster enhancement projects; an additional $100,000 was spent on a broodstock development program last year; and department staff work closely with industry, providing high quality technical advice and support to encourage continued growth and development of the oyster fishery. As well, the Employment Development Agency contributes labour to carry out aspects of enhancement projects such as oyster spat collection and relay program, and PEI Business Development Inc. has contributed to product development and marketing the Island's world-renowned oysters.
Minister Deighan said the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment committed $80,000 to the PEI Shellfish Association this spring for its 2003 oyster enhancement program. Today, the Minister announced an additional $50,000 for enhancement work.
"Enhancement projects have always been important to the future of the oyster fishery, but that is particularly true this year. This additional funding is a clear sign that the Province recognizes that and is committed to do its part to assist industry to rejuvenate oyster grounds impacted by winter kill, cultivate new grounds, and replenish stocks."
Minister Deighan said department staff are already working with the PEI Shellfish Association to prioritize the projects to be carried out this year. As part of the program, provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture staff will be cultivating oyster grounds in the West River and North River. Staff and fishers are finalizing details of other enhancement projects for the Wilmot and Dunk Rivers.
Minister Deighan encouraged the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to assist the industry by also contributing to the oyster enhancement program. As well, he encouraged PEI oyster fishers and processors to support the oyster enhancement fee administered by the newly-formed Oyster Commodity Group.
"We need all the partners working in cooperation to effectively overcome these challenges the oyster industry is facing. I am hopeful we can make that happen," he said.
Minister Deighan said research and monitoring are another important component of plans to restore the oyster industry and protect the future of the fishery. The Minister has encouraged the PEI Shellfish Association to take advantage of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Initiative Inc. which is administered through his department. The AFRI fund can provide up to $60,000 funding for applied research projects. Minister Deighan said discussions have already begun on this front with the Atlantic Veterinary College and DFO.
In terms of coordination, Minister Deighan said he would welcome funding from the federal government for a coordinator for the public shellfishery. He said provincial Fisheries and Aquaculture staff would work closely with a coordinator, as they do with other industry associations, to progress industry issues.
"The PEI Shellfish Association has excellent volunteers but at this time of year, these people have to be on the water making a living. I understand their concern that, given the complexity of the issues the industry sometimes faces and the time required to address these issues, a full-time paid coordinator is needed to represent their interests. I am hopeful that will come about."
The oyster industry plays an important role in the economy of Prince Edward Island, providing employment for 1,000 Island fishers, growers and processing plant workers. Landings in 2002 were approximately six million pounds, with the landed value $5.7 million.