Canadian Fish and Seafood Fund Investing $8.5 Million to Support Initiatives Across Canada

July 19, 2021

The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, with the Government of Canada, today announced strategic investments through the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund (CFSOF) to help expand markets, build on strong international brand and grow trade opportunities for this country’s high-quality, sustainable fish and seafood products.

A total contribution of $8.5 million in non-repayable funding is being provided to eight, not-for-profit fish and seafood industry associations to assist with essential market research, consumer research and domestic and international marketing strategies. The CFSOF is cost-shared (70 per cent federal and 30 per cent provincial).

The fish and seafood sector is integral to the economic and social fabric of hundreds of coastal and Indigenous communities, generating approximately $3.1 billion in GDP for the Canadian economy.

Specifically for Newfoundland and Labrador, investments are being made to help transform the provincial fish and seafood sector, resulting in a positive impact on communities and local economies.

The Fur Institute of Canada/Seals and Sealing Network is receiving $2.64 million for activities and initiatives to strengthen sector organizations and market conditions for Canadian seal products in domestic and international markets.

The Atlantic Groundfish Council is receiving $4.57 million for market research to support the future development of a comprehensive marketing and promotional strategy for international markets, including the United States, Europe, China, Japan and South Korea. Funding will also be used to develop and implement a market diversification strategy for redfish in China, Europe and the United States.

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance/Fisheries Council of Canada is receiving $225,000 for marketing and consumer research to support the development of a national positioning strategy for Canada’s farmed and wild fish and seafood sectors.

The Lobster Council of Canada is receiving $662,400 for activities to support the implementation of a generic marketing and promotional strategy for Canadian lobster in domestic and export markets. The Council will also use a portion of this funding for market research and intelligence to manage ongoing and emerging market access issues.

The Canadian Organic Seafood Association is receiving $112,800 to support the establishment and maintenance of a standards interpretation committee for the Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard.

The Fisheries Council of Canada is receiving $333,000 to engage and communications expert to develop and implement a sector-wide communications strategy to address sustainability and public trust-related market issues, in an effort to create greater awareness of domestic product availability.

Quotes

“Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to be a partner in the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund, and to have contributed funding to seven pan-Canadian marketing initiatives for the benefit of the seafood industry in our province and throughout the country. This program allows the fish and seafood sector to work collaboratively on marketing Canadian fish and seafood products at home and abroad. We look forward to continued partnerships with industry, the Federal Government and other provinces and territories, on cross cutting market development and access projects. We are particularly interested in working with our partners in continuing to identify and access lucrative markets for seal products to support our seal fishery”

Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

“The Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund provides essential support to not-for-profit industry associations and Indigenous groups as they market and promote Canadian fish and seafood products close to home, and across the world. The funding announced today has allowed these eight recipients to undertake much-needed research and planning that will help guide sector growth now, and in the future.”
Honourable Bernadette Jordan
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

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Learn more

Government of Canada partners with provinces and territories to invest in Canada’s fish and seafood sector

Apply to the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund

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

Olivia McKackin
Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
and the Canadian Coast Guard
343-571-9193
[email protected]

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

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