The next quarterly deadline for submissions for funding under the provincial Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Initiative Inc. is June 15.
Administered through the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, AFRI encourages short-term applied research in the areas of aquaculture, lobster health and seafood processing technology. Since the fund was established in 1996, a total of $720,000 has been invested in 29 projects which have helped the PEI industry answer research questions related to such species as oysters, mussels, quahaugs, soft shell clams, lobster, rainbow trout, and arctic char.
"Research is an essential part of the fisheries and aquaculture industries," said Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Greg Deighan. "It helps industry and governments understand and respond to fisheries management issues and challenges, such as invasive species, and to take advantage of new opportunities such as developmental species."
Various fisheries, aquaculture and processing industry associations, as well as private businesses, have accessed the AFRI fund, working cooperatively on projects with research expertise from the PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, the Atlantic Veterinary College, and federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Recent projects have addressed the clubbed tunicate and aquaculture recirculation technology. Other projects AFRI has supported over the years include research on predator control in soft-shell clams and enhancement of live lobster storage and shipping; a field study of the short-term effects of lobster bait on PEI lobster health; and research on conditioning oysters for summer marketing.
Minister Deighan encourages industry associations and businesses to take advantage of the support available through the Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Initiative to address current challenges and opportunities and complement work being carried out by governments and institutions such as the Lobster Science Centre.
"We want to stimulate high-quality research that will yield economic benefits to the aquaculture and fisheries industries, and ultimately, help maintain a competitive position for PEI products in the global market," the minister added.
The fishing and aquaculture industries play a vital role in the economy of Prince Edward Island, providing employment for more than 9,000 Islanders and contributing well in excess of $325 million to the provincial economy. The Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Initiative Inc. is administered by a board of directors representing the fisheries and aquaculture industries, governments, and the research community. Application deadlines throughout the year are March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. For further information, contact the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment at (902) 368-5251.