Fisheries and Environment Minister, Kevin J. MacAdam, announced today that the Department will be sponsoring a Shellfish Workshop on March 5 and 6 at the Atlantic Veterinary College. The Shellfish Workshop will be delivered by the Canadian Aquaculture Institute through funding under the Regional Economic Development Agreement. The workshop will be directed toward shellfish growers, fishers, processors and their employees. A similar workshop was offered at the Atlantic Veterinary College in the spring of 1997. Forty-eight (48) people from the PEI industry participated in the 1997 workshop. There has been a lot of support from the industry for another workshop in 1998.
"I am pleased with the opportunity to bring the Canadian Aquaculture Institute and the PEI shellfish industry together for this training opportunity. This type of training is valuable to improve the skills of the industry in the face of an ever changing business world," said Mr. MacAdam.
Over the two day period, various speakers from Federal and Provincial Government departments, the Atlantic Veterinary College, the Food Technology Centre and a private sector shellfish consulting firm, will cover a range of topics including: Basic Biology of Shellfish, Biological Factors Relating to Shellfish Production, Toxic Algal Species in Atlantic Canada, Shellfish Disease, Water Quality, The Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program, Shellfish Relay, Introductions and Transfers, and Future Developments for the Shellfish Industry. In addition, Roy Castle, Chief of Aquaculture Programs for the Maryland Aquaculture Program will make two presentations at the workshop outlining the development of the shellfish industry in Maryland, USA.
Anyone wanting to attend the Shellfish Workshop should contact Richard Gallant at the Department of Fisheries and Environment (Tel. 902-368-5524) or Bob Johnston at the Canadian Aquaculture Institute (Tel. 902-628-4336). Participants are asked to register by February 26, 1998.
For more information contact:
Richard Gallant, Aquaculture Specialist
Department of Fisheries and Environment
Fisheries and Aquaculture Division
Telephone: (902) 368-5524
Bob Johnston, Director
Canadian Aquaculture Institute
Telephone: (902) 628-4336