Lismore, Nova Scotia - Canada's fisheries are the backbone of many coastal communities and a driving force of the economy. The seafood sector is a rapidly shifting environment - competition is intensifying, consumers are looking for sustainability and quality. That is why the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia (NS) today announced funding support to the Maritime Fishermen's Union Inc.'s (MFU) Nova Scotia members through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF).
On behalf of the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, and the Honourable Steve Craig, Nova Scotia Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, announced a total contribution of over $400,000 to help the Maritime Fishermen's Union deliver a project to its members that will improve the quality, vitality and value of harvested lobster.
This funding will help the lobster fishery in the Southeastern Northumberland Strait (MFU Local 4), Eastern Cape Breton (MFU Local 6) and Southwest Nova Scotia (MFU Local 9) improve the quality of lobster being marketed, the efficiency of fishing activities, and the onboard safety of crew. Live-well systems, which measure water quality, will be installed or upgraded on vessels. MFU members will be in a position to deliver a better and more consistent quality lobster product from the ocean to consumers. The funding will also provide crew members with canopy extensions to create more shade, lobster sorting tables, and automatic lobster banders.
The adoption of new and upgraded technologies by the MFU members, will benefit local and regional economies in NS now and in the future. The contribution comes from the $400 million Atlantic Fisheries Fund, jointly funded by the federal and provincial governments, and focuses on increasing opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada.
The Atlantic Fisheries Fund is in its fifth year and will continue to invest in projects over the seven-year life of the program. The commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, academia, industry associations and organizations, including research institutions, may apply.
