The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and the Honourable Allen Roach, PEI Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning today joined company officials from Halibut PEI to celebrate the completion of the new Halibut PEI facility expansion.
“Our Government understands the significant role rural companies play in Atlantic Canada’s economy,” said Minister Shea. “Halibut PEI is an excellent example of our Government’s support to help rural companies succeed and remain competitive in the global marketplace.”
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, has provided a repayable investment of $500,000 to help the company with the expansion and purchase new equipment. The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning, also invested an additional $775,000 in this project.
“There is tremendous potential in aquaculture to serve as an important source of food and as an industry that can generate jobs and opportunities in rural Prince Edward Island. Halibut PEI is developing a forward looking project and the Government of Prince Edward Island is proud to be a partner in this venture,” said Minister Roach.
Halibut PEI undertook a 20,000 square foot expansion of its current land-based facility in Victoria, Prince Edward Island. This expansion will help the company increase its production of land-based halibut and meet a growing market demand for their product. The company has also purchased new state-of-the-art equipment to help grow market-sized halibut.
“This expansion will increase the production capacity of our operation from 30 metric tonnes to 70 metric tonnes annually” stated Jim Dunphy, President of the Company. “Halibut PEI Inc. strongly appreciates the support that has been provided by both the Federal and Provincial Governments as we have established this new business in PEI. We feel there is a potential to develop a land based halibut aquaculture industry in other locations around the Province that have access to salt water wells creating new year round jobs.”
Halibut PEI operates the only land-based halibut facility on Prince Edward Island. The company grows halibut under controlled conditions to ensure quality and freshness in every fillet. The company grows its halibut to premium size in specially-designed tanks fed by flowing sea water from the facility’s deep wells, to keep the animals in peak condition until the halibut are selected and prepared for sale to consumers. FOR BROADCAST USE:
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea and PEI Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning Allen Roach today celebrated the completion of the newly expanded Halibut PEI facility. The Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island made a combined investment of over $1.2M to assist with the expansion and purchase new specialized equipment.
Halibut PEI undertook a 20,000 square foot expansion of its current land-based facility in Victoria, Prince Edward Island. This expansion will help the company increase its production of land-based halibut and meet a growing market demand for their product. The company also purchased new state-of-the-art equipment to support the growth of market-sized halibut.
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