$725,000 in support has been announced for the aquaculture industry to create jobs and help operators expand their product lines and markets.

Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, announced;

• $500,000 for the purchase a 32-foot, customized, multi-purpose seaworthy vessel. This will enable access to remote aquaculture sites in rough weather conditions to provide site assessment, inspections, oceanography research, laboratory and health surveillance activities, such as sample collection,
• $200,000 for upgrades to Fisheries and Aquaculture Branch laboratory facilities in St. Alban’s to support aquatic animal health requirements for the aquaculture sector. Upgrades include:

  -Removing and disposing of current infrastructure, including second-floor water and live holding systems;

  -Establishing an area for laboratory, storage and administrative office space; and

  -Positioning an effluent discharge disinfection and neutralization system on the ground floor to meet laboratory ISO accreditation requirements.

• $25,000 to support the Expression of Interest process to identify and select a proponent for salmon aquaculture development in the bays west of Bay d’Espoir towards Burgeo and Port aux Basques.

Minister Byrne says as the province works to become a world leader in sustainable aquaculture production, this investment will help explore new areas for development.