Big chill in Ballantynes Cove to extend operating season, offer new sales opportunities

News release

North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op to purchase new technology for long-term live lobster holding

April 23, 2019 – Ballantynes Cove, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Connecting businesses with the tools they need to scale up and export to global markets helps build Atlantic Canada’s food advantage and grows the local economy. The North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op is innovating to maximize the quality and value of live lobster landings and operate its facility close to year-round, creating employment opportunities for the local community.

The North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op is installing a 100,000-pound lobster holding system, with state-of-the-art technology to chill the water for long-term storage. This will enable the Co-op to extend its season, hire more people, explore export opportunities and sell more lobster to locals and tourists.

Sean Fraser, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, announced Government of Canada support to North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op today. Parliamentary Secretary Fraser spoke on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Economic growth and the creation of good jobs for Atlantic Canadians require innovation and diversification. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to help businesses scale-up, increase productivity and participate in the innovation economy. Projects like this also contribute to the Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.

Quotes

“Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy. Today’s investment is building on our competitive advantages byenabling the North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op to extend its operating season, boost economic growth and create good, middle class jobs for Canadians.”

     -  The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“Innovation within the seafood sector will help our region compete in world markets and grow the local economy. With the new storage facility, North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op will nearly triple its lobster storage capacity, enabling it to better serve its current market and explore more export opportunities. It will also move the Co-op closer to a year-round operation, creating good jobs here in Antigonish County."

     -  Sean Fraser, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Member of Parliament for Central Nova

“The fisheries sector is a significant economic driver across our entire province and it’s important to invest in its continued success. Investments like these will help grow our economy, creating more jobs for young Nova Scotians and opportunities for our coastal and rural communities."

     -  The Honourable Keith Colwell, Nova Scotia Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture

“Efficiency Nova Scotia is pleased to have worked with North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op on this project. Nova Scotia is deeply tied to the fishing industry and we are excited to continue to work with the sector to modernize facilities and processes while reducing overall energy consumption."

       -  Stephen MacDonald, CEO, EfficiencyOne

“North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op is excited to be installing technology that will enable us to store our Gulf lobster through our season and for several months after. It will allow us to market our lobster when there are few or no lobster being fished in Canada. Our new storage facility will be capable of holding lobster throughout the year, better utilizing our equipment and providing more employment in the off season.”

     -  Paul van de Wiel, General Manager, North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op

Quick facts

  • ACOA is providing a $450,000 repayable contribution through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, while DFO and the Province of Nova Scotia are providing $284,260 in conditionally repayable support for the project through the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF).

  • Efficiency Nova Scotia is also investing $29,000 in the project, including $14,000 for a feasibility study and $15,000 as an implementation incentive.

  • North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op has been operating seasonally since 1935, buying lobster, along with other fish including herring, mackerel, halibut and tuna, from harvesters in Antigonish and Pictou counties. Lobster represents about 85% of its sales and is sold live to exporters and processors within the Maritimes.

  • North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op currently has 28 members. The project will help maintain 10 positions, add one new full-time employee and create up to six seasonal positions in this rural area.

  • The Co-op currently has short-term storage for 60,000 pounds of lobster in Ballantynes Cove. The new project will bring the company’s total storage capacity to 160,000 pounds.

  • This year, the lobster season in the area will operate from April 29 to June 29, with some exceptions.

  • The Business Scale-up and Productivity stream of the REGI program supports businesses at various stages of development, including high-growth firms, to accelerate their growth, help them scale up and enhance their productivity and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.

  • REGI continues to build on the objectives of the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan.

Associated links

Contacts

Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
chris.brooks@canada.ca


Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca


Krista Higdon
Media Relations Advisor
Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
902-220-6619
Krista.Higdon@novascotia.ca


Janet Tobin
Communications Lead
Efficiency Nova Scotia
902-470-3652
jtobin@efficiencyns.ca


Paul van de Wiel
General Manager
North Bay Fishermen’s Co-op
902-968-1777 (cell)
nbfc@seasidehighspeed.com

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