Mussel growers and scientists from around the world will be in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, September 19-20 for the first International Mussel Forum focusing on the production, processing and marketing of mussels.
Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced that ACOA is providing funding of $76,058 to the Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance to host the international conference.
"The mussel industry is a major creator of jobs in Atlantic Canada and in PEI in particular. There are also significant spin-off jobs created in the service sector for the industry as many of the boats and equipment used are manufactured by Atlantic Canadian firms," said Mr. Murphy.
There has been tremendous growth in the PEI mussel industry over the last 10 years. Today, the industry contributes nearly $50 million to the provincial economy and provides employment for 1,500 Islanders.
A leading authority in the mussel industry, Doug McLeod, president of the European Mollusc Producers Association, will open the forum with a presentation on Global Mussel Production and Markets. Industry representatives from 10 of the world's top mussel producing countries will then highlight industry developments in their respective countries. The countries represented include China, Spain, the Netherlands, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Chile, Scotland, the United States and Canada.
The forum will also feature three panel discussions on topics of interest to mussel growers around the world: Production Capacity, Predators and Pests, and New Frontiers in the Global Mussel Industry.
Richard Gallant, manager of Aquaculture in the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, and Crystal MacDonald, executive director of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance, are co-chairing the forum.
"The forum will mark the first time that so many key players in the global mussel industry will meet to examine issues and opportunities facing the industry. There will be an incredible wealth of knowledge in one room. PEI growers have a great deal to contribute to the discussion, and I'm sure they will go back to their operations with new ideas and information," said Ms. MacDonald.
The First International Mussel Forum is part of the Aquaculture Canada 2002 conference co-hosted by the PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment and the PEI Aquaculture Alliance along with the Aquaculture Association of Canada.
"Prince Edward Island growers produce more than 80 per cent of the mussel landings in Canada so it is appropriate that the First International Mussel Forum is being held here. I commend the PEI Aquaculture Alliance for taking the initiative to organize this important forum and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for providing crucial funding support," said Chester Gillan, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment.
"Cultured mussels are good value and high quality; they create jobs; and they are produced in an environmentally-sustainable fashion. The forum will provide opportunities for industry to continue to build on these strengths," said Cyr Couturier, president of the Aquaculture Association of Canada and chair of Aquaculture Canada 2002.
For further information on the First International Mussel Forum and Aquaculture Canada 2002 call the PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment at (902) 368-5525 or the PEI Aquaculture Alliance at (902) 368-2757, or visit the Aquaculture Canada 2002 web site at .