Arctic char farm wins government support

The Manitoba provincial government has promised support for the Sapphire Springs Inc Arctic Char aquaculture and processing facility near RockWood Municipality, north of Winnipeg.

Sapphire Springs, which is just four years old,  says the CA $145m (£80.5m) project will create at least 100 jobs plus 120 indirect jobs and would help boost the local economy.

It would also be Canada’s most central land fish farm, with most other facilities in British Columbia or on the east coast. The project will also be Canada’s largest Arctic Char facility.

The Manitoba state has also said it is financially supporting the plan with a loan of around $10m (£5.5m).

The province’s Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn both said the facility will contribute to Manitoba’s economy.

Jamie Moses highlighted the government’s commitment to job creation and economic growth, emphasizing that the facility will expand opportunities in Manitoba while producing sustainable food.

The facility, located at the former site of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Rockwood Experimental Fish Hatchery, will be Canada’s largest Arctic char facility and aims to position Manitoba as a leader in the industry.

Ken Blair, CEO of Sapphire Springs Inc, expressed gratitude for the province’s support and outlined the company’s goal of becoming a leader in sustainable aquaculture.

He stressed the project’s role in supporting the local economy and meeting the rising demand for healthy, sustainable protein sources.