Government Acts to Advance Canadian Fisheries and Aquaculture Research

CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, May 19 (MARKET
WIRE) --
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of
the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology),
today announced funding for research that will keep the Canadian
fisheries and aquaculture industries competitive and sustainable.

"These research projects will boost the global competitiveness,
productivity and environmental performance of this important Canadian
industry," said Minister Shea. "Research and development creates jobs,
strengthens the economy and improves the quality of life of Canadians.
That's why Canada's Economic Action Plan includes a $5.1-billion dollar
investment in science and technology initiatives."

The $8.8 million funding announced today is part of a new five-year
initiative, led by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
of Canada (NSERC), to support industry-driven research and development
(R&D) in fisheries and aquaculture.

This funding, spread over three years, will support 23 strategic research
projects in fisheries and aquaculture at universities across Canada. For
example, researchers at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby will study how
the seafloor reacts to disturbances caused by fishing gear. Funding
supplied to the Memorial University of Newfoundland will support research
into early detection and better understanding of invasive aquatic species.

These projects will train students in a wide variety of disciplines
related to fisheries and aquaculture.

"In addition to generating new knowledge and technologies for our
fisheries and aquaculture sector, this initiative will help train the
students who will drive innovation for years to come," said Dr. Suzanne
Fortier, President of NSERC. "We are ensuring a bright future for this
vital, historical industry."

In the previous three budgets, the Government of Canada provided over $2
billion in new funding for S&T. In Canada's Economic Action Plan, we are
investing more than $5.1 billion in new funding toward S&T initiatives.
This represents one of the single-largest federal investments in S&T to
date. Together these measures will contribute to the creation of a
stronger, more innovative economy and a more prosperous Canada.

NSERC is a federal agency whose vision is to help make Canada a country
of discoverers and innovators for the benefit of all Canadians. The
agency supports some 26,500 university students and postdoctoral fellows
in their advanced studies.

BACKGROUNDER

Fisheries and Aquaculture Initiative

In Budget 2008, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
(NSERC) received special funding to establish industry-led research
initiatives in four key areas - automotive, forestry, manufacturing and
fisheries and aquaculture. NSERC is targeting $21.8 million over five
years to a fisheries and aquaculture research initiative.

Of this funding, $8.8 million over three years is being distributed
through NSERC's Strategic Project Grants (SPG) program, which supports
early-stage, targeted project research that has a strong potential to
enhance Canada's economy, society or environment within the next decade.
A call for proposals was issued in the fall of 2008 under the SPG
program. Following a peer reviewed evaluation, 23 projects in fisheries
and aquaculture were approved for funding.

In addition to generating knowledge and technology to help industry, this
initiative will provide advanced training for students in a wide variety
of disciplines related to fisheries and aquaculture.

The priority areas to be covered by this initiative were identified in
consultation with representatives from the fisheries and aquaculture
industries, government agencies (including the Department Fisheries and
Oceans), academia and other stakeholders. These areas are:

Aquaculture

- Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (a practice in which by-products
or wastes from one species are recycled into fertilizer or food for
another.)

- Ecosystem health/environmental interactions

- Fish and shellfish health/wellness

- Technological advances

- Genetics and husbandry

Capture fisheries

- Operational efficiency and technology development

- Strategic issues in resource and ecosystem sustainability (including
enhanced knowledge of habitats and ecosystems; ecosystem impacts of
fishing; and ecosystem-based management practices and resource
enhancement initiatives).

Funding

The breakdown of institutions, number of research projects and funding is
as follows:

Eastern Canada

- Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's, NL): 6 projects, $2.25
million

- University of New Brunswick (Saint John, NB): 2 projects, $702,070

- Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS): 1 project, $466,000

- Nova Scotia Agricultural College (Truro, NS): 1 project, $389,948

- Saint Mary's (Halifax, NS): 1 project, $410,036

- University of PEI (Charlottetown, PE): 1 project, $368,261

Quebec

- Universite du Quebec a Montreal (Montreal): 1 project, $340,950

- Laval University (Quebec City): 1 project, $382,500

Ontario

- University of Guelph (Guelph): 2 projects, $697,040

- Carleton University (Ottawa): 1 project, $587,600

- University of Toronto (Toronto): 1 project, $461,000

British Columbia

- Vancouver Island University (Nanaimo): 1 project, $413,417

- Simon Fraser University (Burnaby): 2 projects: $577,146

- University of Victoria (Victoria): 2 projects, $803,884

Partners

More than 30 public and private sector partners are involved with the
approved research projects, including Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
They are providing an additional $7.4 million in in-kind support and
$716,000 in cash to support these projects.

Contacts:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Office of the Minister
Nancy Bishay
Press Secretary
613-992-3474

Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council Atlantic Office
Jason Frenette
Communications and Promotion Officer
506-854-7767

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