The Atlantic lobster industry will benefit from $2.2 million in funding towards new processing technology and product development, thanks to investments by Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Province of Prince Edward Island and the Prince Edward Island Atlantic Shrimp Corporation.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, was joined by Minister Neil LeClair, PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, and Bob Johnston, President of PEI Atlantic Shrimp Corporation, today to announce $2.2 million for new product and processing innovation for the lobster industry.
“Our government continues to listen to the concerns of the lobster industry and to support projects that will provide long-term solutions to the challenges caused by the global economic downturn,” said Minister Shea. “Our commitment of $1.6 million to these projects will support product innovation and the development of new processing technology that will deliver benefits for the entire Atlantic lobster industry.”
Canada’s Economic Action Plan, through the Community Adjustment Fund’s $8 million lobster initiative, is supporting projects in new product innovation, identification of new markets, and research and development to provide a productive and sustainable future for the lobster fishery in Atlantic Canada.
“The development of new products and technologies is key to increasing the competitiveness of the lobster industry and improved returns to fishers and processors,” said Minister LeClair. “One of the objectives of the provincial government’s five-point lobster plan is to improve the marketability of our lobster products and I am pleased to announce provincial support of $500,000 through my Department and Innovation PEI.”
Minister LeClair said the projects being announced today are part of the provincial government’s Rural Action Plan which supports the development of the primary industries and economic opportunities in rural communities.
The $2.2 million is going to the PEI Seafood Processors Association to invest in two projects. The first project funds industry leaders to work with the Food Technology Centre and Holland College over the next year to develop four to six new products, which will benefit the entire lobster industry. The second is to seek new innovation in processing techniques and equipment to assist lobster processors with lowering production costs and increasing labour productivity.
“One of our Company’s objectives is to further the development and maintenance of the seafood processing industry,” stated Bob Johnston, President of the PEI Atlantic Shrimp Corp. Inc. “We are pleased to be able to provide financial assistance to both of the projects announced today as the development of new products and improving processing efficiency relate directly to this objective.”
The lobster industry currently employs approximately 50,000 people in Atlantic Canada.
“We are pleased to have funding for new product innovation for Atlantic Canadian lobsters, and new innovation for lobster processing techniques,” said Olin Gregan, Executive Director of the PEI Seafood Processors Association. “These two projects will help a great deal with the future of the Atlantic Canada lobster processing industry.”
The Government of Canada is contributing $1.6 million towards the projects through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) a key economic stimulus initiative under the federal Economic Action Plan. The EAP is providing a total of $1 billion over two years through CAF to support initiatives that help create and maintain jobs in communities and industries impacted by the economic downturn. Atlantic Canada’s allocation of $100 million under CAF is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
The Province of PEI, through the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development and Innovation PEI is providing $500,000 through the Five-Point Lobster Plan, and the PEI Atlantic Shrimp Corporation is contributing $95,000 to the projects.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.