Atlantic Fisheries Fund Investing $11.2 Million in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Fishing Industry

August 12, 2021

The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada today announced strategic investments through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. A total contribution of $11.2 million is being invested in 36 projects which focus on equipment modernization, and improving productivity and sustainability.

The $400 million Atlantic Fisheries Fund, jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments focuses on increasing opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada.

Specifically for Newfoundland and Labrador, investments are being made in:

• Harvesting – 28 projects for fish harvesters, supporting new equipment and innovative technologies that will advance onboard handling techniques and increase productivity and quality of products.
• Processing – Five projects targeting advancements in processing technologies, diversification and product quality improvements to improve competitiveness and add value for the industry.
• Aquaculture – Two projects enabling adoption of new technology and processes to support sustainable development in the oyster and salmon sectors.
• Indigenous partnerships – One project with the Nunatsiavut Government through the Torngat Joint Fisheries Board investing in Adaptive Remote Imaging Sonar (ARIS) technology to collect information about Arctic Char, which will better inform total allowable catch decisions for food, social, ceremonial, and commercial Arctic Char fisheries.

Funding these important initiatives will help transform the provincial fish and seafood sector, resulting in a positive impact on communities and local economies.

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund will continue to invest in projects over the seven-year life of the program, which started in 2017. Commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, universities and academia and industry associations and organizations, including research institutions, may apply.

Eligible projects must focus on:

• Innovation – to support research and development of new innovations that contribute to sustainability of the fish and seafood sector, and to create partnerships and networks that aim to promote and encourage innovations in the sector;
• Infrastructure – to adopt or adapt new technologies, processes, or equipment to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the fish and seafood sector; and
• Science Partnerships – fisheries and aquaculture industry based partnerships with academia and institutions to enhance knowledge and understanding of the impacts of changing oceanographic conditions and sustainable harvesting technology.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador continues to lead the way in investments and projects through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund. Our leadership is a testament to the vision of industry and community leaders who put forward quality projects. We look forward to seeing many more projects and investments, as together we create, develop and grow the fishery of the future, one that is thoroughly innovative, sustainable and value-added.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

“The fisheries sector is a significant contributor to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. The projects we are supporting today will help ensure the women and men of our fisheries have access to the state-of-the-art technology and equipment they need for this sector to continue to thrive.”
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

“Our harvesters and processors are at the forefront of the fishery of the future.  It is my honour to invest in their skills, expertise, and vision to improve the value and sustainability of our seafood sector. The Atlantic Fisheries Fund was inspired by their hard work and dedication to help those making out province’s legendary industry for today’s harvesters and as well as future generations.”
Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame

“With this welcomed investment in Newfoundland and Labrador’s fishing sector, we are supporting the local economy, helping our communities and strengthening our Indigenous partnerships. By investing in our fishing sector today, we will grow the sector to be more sustainable and modernized for tomorrow. We will always be there for the dedicated workers in our fishing sector who give so much to this vital industry.”
Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador

“Newfoundland and Labrador was built on the fishery and this sector continues to play a vital role in our province’s economy.  Our rural towns continue to thrive in part due to the economic spinoffs the fishery provides.  By supporting these projects, we will help ensure our fish harvesters and all those involved will have access to the most advanced technology and equipment needed to continue in this ever evolving sector”
Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista -Burin-Trinity

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Learn more
Atlantic Fisheries Fund

Atlantic Fisheries Fund application

Atlantic Growth Strategy

Toll-free program contact: 1-844-795-9718

Media contacts
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-729-3733, 699-1982
[email protected]

Olivia McMackin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
343-571-9193
[email protected]

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
[email protected]

BACKGROUNDER

The funding — a total contribution of more than $11 million – invests in 36 projects that focus on harvesting, processing, equipment modernization, and improving productivity.

Recipient	Location	Project Description	Project Costs	AFF Contribution	AFF Pillar
Allan Eddy	Sibley’s Cove	Purchase and installation of automatic jiggers.	$14,594	$11,675	Infrastructure
Andre Paul	Come By Chance	Purchase insulated tubs and automatic jiggers.	$6,411	$5,128	Infrastructure
Austin Reid	Seldom	Purchase and installation of automatic jiggers.	$14,594	$11,675	Infrastructure
Big Land Fisheries Inc. / Labrador Fishermen’s Union Shrimp Co. Ltd.	Mary’s Harbour	Purchase and installation of salt cod processing technology.	$11,878,708	$3,825,361	Infrastructure
Bradley Wiseman	Robert’s Arm	Purchase and installation of automatic jiggers.	$14,594	$11,675	Infrastructure
Clifford Cull	Seldom	Purchase and installation of automatic jiggers and insulated tubs.	$25,846	$20,677	Infrastructure
Darrell Tulk	Aspen Cove	Purchase insulated tubs and automatic jiggers.	$14,790	$11,832	Infrastructure
Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW)	Corner Brook	Development of sustainable redfish fishing technology.	$934,578	$634,921	Innovation
Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW)	St. John’s	Piloting of boxing at sea in inshore cod fisheries.	$752,809	$149,960	Innovation
Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited	Fogo Island	Purchase and install crab processing technology.	$3,788,939	$2,769,720	Infrastructure
Frederick Hedley Mouland	Bonavista	Purchase and installation of automatic jiggers and insulated tubs.	$23,992	$19,194	Infrastructure
George Power	Petit Forte	Purchase and installation of insulated tubs and automatic jiggers.	$10,790	$8,632	Infrastructure
Glen Best	Fogo Island	Purchase and installation of automatic jiggers.	$29,188	$23,350	Infrastructure
Grieg NL Nurseries Ltd.	Marystown	Purchase and installation of a fish sludge dewatering system.	$1,009,151	$756,863	Infrastructure
Hampidjan Canada Ltd.	Spaniard’s Bay	Digital trawl development.	$54,656	$43,725	Innovation
Harbour Authority of Belleoram	Belleoram	Purchase and distribution of insulated tubs to Core enterprises.	$11,809	$9,447	Infrastructure
Harbour Authority of Foxtrap	Conception Bay South	Purchase and distribute insulated boxes to fishing enterprises.	$84,678	$67,742	Infrastructure
Harbour Authority of Grand Bank	Grand Bank	Purchase and distribute insulated fish tubs to inshore fishing enterprises.	$11,303	$9,042	Infrastructure
Harbour Authority of Harbour Grace	Harbour Grace	Purchase and distribute insulated fish tubs to inshore fishing enterprises.	$128,898	$103,118	Infrastructure
Harbour Authority of Triton	Triton	Purchase and distribute insulated tubs to fishers.	$104,435	$83,548	Infrastructure
Hill Enterprises Ltd. and Cyril Piercey	Norman’s Cove	Purchase and install onboard fish grading system.	$237,000	$98,919	Infrastructure
Hodder’s Shellfish Inc.	Stoneville	Purchase and Installation of modern sea urchin handling and processing technology	$71,280	$57,024	Infrastructure
Jerry Best	Fogo	Purchase and installation of an automated jigging system.	$29,188	$23,350	Infrastructure
Joe Osbourne	Seal Cove, White Bay	Purchase of cod pots and insulated tubs.	$5,690	$4,552	Infrastructure
Labrador Gem Seafood Incorporated	Ramea	Purchase and install a vacuum and skin packaging system.	$108,000	$86,400	Infrastructure
Luke Alexander	Kippens	Purchase and install a cod pot harvesting system.	$25,000	$20,000	Infrastructure
Notre Dame Bay Mussel Farms Inc.	Pleasantview	Oyster aquaculture expansion.	$136,840	$99,900	Infrastructure
Ocean Choice International	Fortune	Purchase and installation of Yellowtail Flounder processing equipment.	$3,645,152	$1,822,576	Infrastructure
Oswan Tucker	Reefs Harbour	Experimental gear trails to avoid small redfish catch.	$11,967	$9,574	Innovation
Paul Kane	Renews	Purchase and install an automated jigging system and insulated tubs.	$15,119	$12,095	Infrastructure
Randy Ryan	La Scie	Purchase and install automatic longline system.	$212,003	$99,900	Infrastructure
Rex Whiffen	Bonavista	Purchase and installation of automatic jiggers and insulated tubs.	$25,271	$20,217	Infrastructure
Sound Venture Enterprises Ltd. and  William Tremblett	Bonavista	Purchase and installation of a groundfish handling system.	$58,250	$46,601	Infrastructure
Strattons Holdings Ltd.	Calvert	Purchase and installation of an automatic longline system.	$82,657	$66,126	Infrastructure
Terry Rideout	Newtown	Purchase and installation of insulated tubs.	$8,475	$6,780	Infrastructure
Torngat Secretariat	Nain	Purchase and Installation of ARIS (Adaptive Remote Imaging Sonar) technology to collect Arctic Char abundance information.	$160,000	$128,000	Infrastructure

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