Canada Invests in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture

British Columbia's fisheries and aquaculture sectors play a significant role in the country's blue economy, contributing approximately $4.5 billion annually to the gross domestic product and providing thousands of jobs in Indigenous, rural, and coastal communities. To support the growth of this industry while promoting sustainability, the Government of Canada has announced funding for 36 projects under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program.

Key Takeaways:

• The Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program is a $20-million program (2017-21) that provides funding to help businesses incorporate clean technologies into their day-to-day operations.
• The program aims to accelerate the use of more sustainable and efficient tools, practices, and techniques, supporting the adoption of greener practices in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
• The 36 projects for which funding is announced today are helping fisheries and aquaculture businesses upgrade waste/wastewater treatment facilities, increase energy efficiency, create more reliance on green energy such as solar, upgrade sonar, decrease reliance on Styrofoam, and reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
• The contributions from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia total over $6.2 million, reflecting a strong commitment to supporting the growth of a healthy and sustainable blue economy in British Columbia.
• These investments have helped strengthen Canadians' access to fish and shellfish food resources by supporting small and medium-sized businesses, many of which are in Indigenous, rural, and coastal communities.
• The program is a collaborative effort between the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, with the Province contributing over $785,000 towards the projects announced today.
• The Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program has helped businesses in British Columbia reduce their environmental footprint while promoting a clean coastal economy.

Statistics:

• The Government of Canada has invested over $5.4 million in the 36 projects announced today, with a total provincial contribution of over $785,000.
• The fisheries and aquaculture sectors contribute approximately $4.5 billion annually to the gross domestic product in Canada.
• The sectors provide thousands of jobs in Indigenous, rural, and coastal communities.
• 36 projects have been funded under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program to promote the adoption of greener practices in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

Sources:

• Release, Member of Parliament for Burnaby North-Seymour and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Terry Beech, April 7, 2021.
• Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program, 2017-21.