Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair announced today the launch of a Future Fishers Program. The program will provide new entrants to the lobster fishery a combination of assistance ranging from training to interest relief. The budget for the new program is $100,000 annually.
“This program is part of the provincial government’s ongoing commitment to the lobster fishery and to rural Prince Edward Island,” said Minister LeClair. “It will enable new entrants to become more knowledgeable in all aspects of the fishery and to be better positioned for success.”
The program will provide formal training in areas such as marine operations, lobster biology and management, seafood processing and marketing, and financial management. Each applicant will be eligible for assistance of $1,000 towards the cost of training. The interest rebate component will provide up to $3,000 a year over a three-year period.
The program is retroactive to January 1, 2009. Those who purchased a Class A lobster license after that date, or who have demonstrated that 2009 was their first fishing year, are residents of Prince Edward Island and are over the age of 18 are eligible to apply. Those who are working towards the ownership of a fishing fleet may apply for assistance for the training programs.
“As the average age of fishers in this province continues to rise, the Future Fishers program will assist in attracting young people into the fishery,” said Minister LeClair. “At the same time, it will better equip them with the knowledge and skills they require to participate successfully in this increasingly complex and competitive industry.”