A newly expanded aquaculture operation, Winter Springs Aquaculture Inc., was officially opened in Pleasant Grove today.
Fin-fish production is taking an increasingly important place in Prince Edward Island's relatively new and rapidly evolving aquaculture industry. Winter Springs Aquaculture, specializing in Arctic Char, is a "grow-out" operation - beginning with fish eggs or fingerlings to produce mature fish for the table or "meat-fish" market. The species has extraordinary growth capabilities.
"Prince Edward Island's unique conditions, including an abundant supply of clean, fresh water gives the Island's aquaculture industry a natural advantage," said Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque. "The Island's geographic isolation means that disease-free certification is attainable and can be maintained, giving aquaculture products from this province a definite advantage in export markets."
A relatively new species to aquaculture, Arctic Char was introduced to the industry just over a decade ago. Arctic Char is becoming widely known as a "specialty" product. Many finer hotels and dining rooms have a strong demand for Arctic Char, creating a niche market for the product.
"Aimed at serving specialty markets, Arctic Char holds considerable promise for the aquaculture industry," stated Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Tourism for Prince Edward Island. "Culturing the species through aquaculture methods began in earnest in eastern Canada in the mid 1980's, using technologies developed and adapted from the culture of salmon and trout, an excellent example of the advances being made by our knowledge-based economy."
Arctic Char is one of a group of species of fish with the ability to spend parts of its life cycle in fresh water and the remainder at sea. For hundreds of years it has been a staple food for coastal Inuit and has been fished commercially in some northern Labrador and Quebec communities.
"It is an exciting time to be involved in the aquaculture industry," said Craig Boudreau who owns the Winter Springs operation with his wife, Melanie Boudreau. "Arctic Char is relatively new to the industry and we believe the species has great potential."
Funding for this project was provided by the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) in the form of a $46,200 repayable contribution under the Business Development Program. The Government of Prince Edward Island has also supported the project through a loan from the P.E.I. Lending Agency, support from Enterprise PEI through the Low Interest Loan Program, and a contribution from the Department of Fisheries and Tourism.
For more information, please contact Craig Boudreau, Winter Springs Aquaculture, Pleasant Grove, (902) 672-2095; or Brian Schmeisser, Director of Corporate Affairs and Trade, ACOA, (902) 566-7422.