November 15, 2013
Woodstock, Prince Edward Island – The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, met with participants at the PEI Oyster Conference to talk about the Government of Canada’s support for the Prince Edward Island oyster industry. This commitment includes working toward a more effective and efficient regulatory system, opening new markets for Canadian products as well as investing in infrastructure such as the Malpeque Harbour.
“Canada has one of the most rigorous regulatory systems in the world to ensure the aquaculture industry is safe, healthy and sustainable,” said Minister Shea. “To build on that, our Government is proud to invest $57.5 million over five years to improve the regulatory system for the aquaculture sector to ensure it is always more efficient and effective, protects our environment, but is not unnecessarily cumbersome.”
Minister Shea also noted that the recently concluded Trade Agreement with the European Union will provide the Canadian fish and seafood industry with a clear competitive advantage.
“The Canada European Union trade agreement will have significant benefits for our country’s oyster industry,” added the Minister. “It will give Canadian industries access to a very lucrative market, which will benefit hard-working Canadians, particularly in coastal communities through more jobs, higher wages, and long-term prosperity.”
When the Agreement comes into force, almost 96 per cent of all EU tariffs on Canadian fish and seafood products will be eliminated, with the remaining 4 per cent to be eliminated by the 7th year of the Agreement. The EU is the world’s largest importer of fish and seafood, with a global import market averaging $25 billion annually between 2010 and 2012, and average seafood consumption of 26 kg per capita in 2010. It is already Canada’s third largest fish and seafood export market with a value of more than $350 million in 2012, despite these high tariffs.
Oysters are the second most valuable shellfish farmed in Canada. The oyster industry generates over $18 million annually. Aquaculture provides approximately 6,000 direct, full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs for Canadians and some 9,700 more positions in the supplies, services and support sectors. In 2010, Canada’s aquaculture industry generated just over $1 billion in gross domestic product, with over $355 million in direct GDP and about $710 million in spin-off benefits.
Speech from the Honourable Gail Shea at the PEI Oyster Conference
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