Fishing for Solutions to Reduce Waste
News Release
More than $1 million being invested in innovation research for the fisheries and agri-food sectors in Cape Breton
August 9, 2017 – Sydney, NS - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Canadians will benefit from a cleaner environment as a result of reduced waste in food and seafood processing industries thanks to investments of more than $1 million from the Government of Canada. The funding will support a research project at Cape Breton University’s Verschuren Centre to develop technology to create value-added products out of discarded matter from the food and fisheries industries. It will also enable North Sydney’s Northsyde Processing to significantly reduce its waste by adopting clean technology.
Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso, announced the Government of Canada’s support for these two projects today, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
The Verschuren Centre is receiving a contribution of nearly $750,000 for an 18-month project to create a pilot facility with the machinery and equipment components needed to convert underused seafood and agri-food processing waste into valuable mixtures.
Northsyde Processing, for its part, is receiving a repayable contribution of more than $293,000 to implement a filtering system to remove shrimp shells out of the waste stream to create additional revenue for the company. The solid waste, known to have unique and valuable properties, is in demand internationally for use in various products ranging from medical bandages to diet supplements. This initiative is the first phase of the company's goal to fully utilize all of its marine resources.
These investments, supported through ACOA’s Business Development Program, build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in green initiatives and innovation that will create good middle class jobs, grow our economy and reduce pollution, including greenhouse gases.
Quotes
“Innovations in clean-tech are critical to Atlantic Canada’s economic success. The Government of Canada is working to make our nation one of the greenest countries in the world and has committed over a billion dollars to support clean-technology projects, in turn, creating good jobs and bringing long-term prosperity to Atlantic Canada’s middle class and those working hard to join it.”
− The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Science, Innovation and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The Government of Canada recognizes that encouraging innovation increases the productivity, growth and competitiveness of organizations. We are committed to making the investments needed to stimulate the region’s economy and build on Atlantic Canada’s competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem, and skilled workforce.”
− Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso
“The novel technology processes developed by Verschuren Centre researchers will help deliver real value solutions to a variety of seafood processing industry sectors. This funding will help to build a pilot facility to apply these processes on a larger scale. The Verschuren Centre team is committed to developing industry solutions and opportunities to grow a sustainable economy.”
− Dr. Beth Mason, CEO of the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment
“In the face of changing world markets and the many new and exciting challenges in today's modern fishery, the Louisbourg Seafoods group of companies recognizes that innovation is the key to success. We are committed to providing the freshest, highest quality products to the global marketplace. Our team strives daily for new and innovative ways to make this happen.”
− Adam Mugridge, Project Development Manager, Northsyde Processing Ltd.
Quick Facts
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Research being conducted at Cape Breton University’s Verschuren Centre is designed to enable food and marine processors to cut waste disposal costs while creating additional revenue streams.
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Northsyde Processing, a subsidiary of Louisbourg Seafoods, partnered with the Vershuren Centre to research the characteristics of the shell waste expelled from its shrimp processing line and create alternative by-products.
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Northsyde Processing’s project is expected to divert upwards of 500,000 kgs of solid waste - in the form of shells - to landfills each year, greening the industry and generating a significant cost savings for the company.
Contacts
D.A. Landry
Acting Director of Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-564-3617 / 902-578-3813 (cell)
Email: da.landry@canada.ca
Becky Chisholm
Manager, Communications and Media Relations
Cape Breton University
902-563-1638 (office)
Email: becky_chisholm@cbu.ca
Adam Mugridge
Project Development Manager
Northsyde Processing Ltd.
902-577-8158
Email: adam.m@louisbourgseafoods.ca