Huge Government boost for Canadian fishing industry – Fishupdate.com

Huge Government boost for Canadian fishing industry Published:  11 September, 2013

THE Canadian fishing industry has received a $62-million plus uplift after the country’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper recently announced a major investment programme for Canada’s fishing ports. 

Mr Harper said the funding will be used to support the livelihoods of commercial fishermen. Each coastal province will receive the money which is intended to cover a range of work including electrical upgrades, float installations and wharf reconstruction.

Newfoundland and Labrador, two of the most important fishing provinces, will receive the largest share which is $16.2-million. Nova Scotia will receive $10.2 million, while Prince Edward Island is being given $4-million. on the Pacific Coast British Columbia, home of the country’s wild salmon fishing industry, will collect around $7.9 million.

The announcement follows a commitment the federal government made in the last budget to invest approximately $450 million over five years (2013-18) in the Small Craft Harbours Programme. The Canadian commercial fishing industry is a major employer, supporting around 100,000 jobs plus additional jobs in fish processing.

The Canadian fishing and seafood industry is hoping for a free trade deal with the European Union which should help give a boost to the country’s seafood export business.

Canada offers a wide variety of sustainably harvested species from many different areas of the country. In 2011, Atlantic Canada and Quebec commercial fishing landings were valued at $1.8 billion. Top Atlantic species in terms of value were lobster, snow crab, shrimp, scallops and Greenland turbot. Pacific commercial fishing landings were valued at $279 million. Top Pacific commercial species in terms of value were wild salmon and halibut,