Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Neil LeClair today announced that the department is providing a total of $180,000 to the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association to enhance oyster production on publicly fished areas. The contribution includes $100,000 from Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development and $80,000 under the Employment Development Agency’s Special Projects Program.
“The public oyster fishery is a very important component of the shellfish industry in our province,” said Minister LeClair. “We are pleased to support the Shellfish Association in its ongoing efforts to enhance oyster production in a number of areas throughout Prince Edward Island.”
Minister LeClair recently toured the public oyster fishery in the Summerside Harbour area where the Shellfish Association, with support from the department, has been conducting enhancement activities over the past three decades. This is one of the most active oyster fishing areas in the province and supports as many as 400 fishers during the spring season which runs from May 1 to July 15. The oyster fishery employs more than 1000 Islanders and has a landed value in the range of $6 million annually.
The Minister also toured the Shellfish Association’s base of operations in Ellerslie where it collects and grows oyster spat to spread on public oyster beds.
“Enhancement activities are crucial to production from the public oyster fishery and my department is pleased to be able to play an active role in supporting this very important industry,” said Minister LeClair.