New Brunswick – Fisheries are vital to many coastal communities and a driving force of the economy in Atlantic Canada. The seafood sector is rapidly changing, with new innovative technologies being adopted to improve efficiency, seafood quality and sustainability. To support these new projects within local communities, today the Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick announced funding through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) for projects in New Brunswick’s fishing and seafood sector.
The funding—a total contribution of over $38 million—will help harvesters and processors modernize and test new equipment as well as improve productivity, and increase ecologically friendly practices in the New Brunswick fish and seafood sector. Specifically, funding announced will support new infrastructure, innovation and scientific partnerships in:
- Processing: 31 projects will advance the development and adoption of processing technologies and product quality to improve competitiveness and add value for the industry.
- Aquaculture: 21 projects will enable the adoption of new technology and processes to support sustainable development of the oyster, salmon and artic char aquaculture sectors.
- Harvesting: 16 projects will procure new equipment and develop technologies to improve onboard handling techniques, data collection and monitoring to maintain product quality and sustainable fisheries.
- Multisector: Four projects crossing over multiple sectors, will help companies in the adoption and development of new technologies and support industry.
The contribution is from the $400 million Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF), funded by the federal and provincial governments. The AFF focuses on increasing opportunities and market value for sustainably sourced, high-quality fish and seafood products from Atlantic Canada.
Introduced in 2017, the Atlantic Fisheries Fund will continue to invest in projects until March 31, 2026, at which time all projects receiving funding must be completed. The commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry, Indigenous groups, universities and academia, and industry associations and organizations, including research institutions, may apply for funding.