New Shellfish Hatchery at Bideford Marine Centre

PEI’s only Shellfish Hatchery will be Owned and Operated by Lennox Island First Nation

December 19, 2016 – Ellerslie, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

In 1930, a laboratory was established on the Bideford River in Ellerslie to help restore the oyster fishery in Prince Edward Island. The timing was fortuitous, because a few years later, an epidemic swept across the Maritimes and the spat stored at the facility by biologist Dr. Alfred Needler was used to re-stock the region’s decimated oyster beds. After years of decline and eventually closure, the facility, now known as the Bideford Marine Centre, was acquired by Lennox Island First Nation and it is now getting a new lease on life as PEI’s only shellfish hatchery.

Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), together with Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Alan McIsaac, today announced government funding for the Lennox Island Development Corporation to create a new shellfish hatchery at the Bideford Marine Centre to ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the oyster fishery.

Once the hatchery has established the oyster seed production process, it will diversify into new species of shellfish seed production, including bay scallops, sea-scallops, quahogs and soft-shell clams, positioning it to provide aquaculture operators with seed stocks for their farms. With access to new species of shellfish, growers will have the opportunity to diversify into new, high-value products and increase exports.

Quick Facts

• Through its Innovative Communities Fund, ACOA will provide a $161,843 contribution for renovations to the existing building and the purchase of specialized equipment.
• The Government of Canada is providing additional funding of $92,000 through two programs.
• Funding of $50,000 was provided through Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada’s Aboriginal Business and Entrepreneurship Development (ABED) program, which provides support to Aboriginal entrepreneurs for business development. This funding is being delivered through the Ulnooweg Development Group;
• The Aboriginal Aquaculture in Canada Initiative (AACI) provided $42,000 to implement the project and supplied aquaculture business development support services to help develop the project through the Ulnooweg Development Group. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the lead department for delivery of the AACI, which is funded through the Strategic Partnerships Initiative and designed to help coordinate efforts and investments in support of Indigenous participation in economic opportunities.
• The Government of Prince Edward Island will provide shellfish hatchery equipment with a replacement value in excess of $78,000 as in-kind support to the project through the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning will contribute funding to assist the training of a recent graduate in the operation of the hatchery facility.

Quotes

“PEI is rightly recognized for the quality and diversity of its oysters, and the shellfish industry has become increasingly important to our economy in recent years. Responsible stewardship of our natural resources is an important part of long-term sustainability, and I am pleased to see this project will be managed by the Lennox Island Development Corporation.”

- Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont

“The shellfish industry is a very important contributor to the rural economy of Prince Edward Island.  The demand for quality shellfish continues to grow and the market place well recognizes the quality of the shellfish produced and harvested here on P.E.I.  Efforts to support sustainable growth of the industry will benefit all Islanders.  I am pleased our government has been able to contribute to the development of the shellfish hatchery.

‒ Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Alan McIsaac

“Lennox Island First Nation is proud to be able to establish this shellfish hatchery that will support all of PEI. Conservation and sustainability of natural resources has always been at the core of Aboriginal beliefs. We hope to establish strong partnerships with industry.”

‒ Chief Matilda Ramjattan, Lennox Island First Nation

Associated Links

• Lennox Island First Nation
• Atlantic Growth Strategy
• Strategic Partnerships Initiative

Contacts

Christopher Brooks
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-566-7569

Amber Nicholson
Senior Communications Officer
Government of Prince Edward Island
902-368-5286

Mike Randall
Executive Director
Lennox Island Development Corporation
902-831-2770