The Canadian fishing sector is already benefitting from the multi-million-dollar economic action plan, said Minister Gail Shea. (Photo: DFO/StockFile)

DFO invests USD 306 mln in maritime economy

CANADA
Tuesday, June 09, 2009, 02:40 (GMT + 9)

Communities across Canada are reaping the benefits from a CAD 343 million (USD 306.6 million) job-generating government plan, announced Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Minister Gail Shea.

“Canada’s fishing and marine industries are vital to the economic future of hundreds of Canadian communities and supporting these industries must be part of Canada’s response to the global recession,” Shea said. “That is why [the PM Stephen Harper Government’s] Economic Action Plan focuses on projects that will help create jobs for Canadians today while building our fishing and marine industries for the future.”

The economic action plan was announced on 27 January, and since then, DFO has said it would invest CAD 192.1 million (USD 171.7 million) in major developments, small harbour repairs and maintenance, and dredging projects to support commercial fishing.

DFO also invested CAD 112.6 million (USD 100.7 million) in the Canadian Coast Guard to be used on major repairs and the extension of service of 40 of the largest vessels in its repertoire, plus the design of three new inshore fisheries science vessels. This move shows the government’s recognition of the important role played by the Coast Guard and its fundamental role in the economy.

The Harper Government gave the department CAD 28.2 million (USD 25.2 million) to update its laboratories and science facilities in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec. The sum includes CAD 8 million (USD 7.2 million) to be spent on DFO’s Salmonid Enhancement Programme facilities and hatcheries throughout British Columbia.

A two-year, CAD 1 billion (USD 894 million) Community Adjustment Fund is also part of the Economic Action Plan and will go to support coastal communities affected by the deteriorating seafood demand worldwide. Of this fund, CAD 10 million (USD 8.9 million) have gone to the lobster industry in Atlantic Canada and Quebec so far.

The national government will spend CAD 40 billion (USD 35.8 billion) to help create more jobs and shore up the economy within the next couple of years.

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- Unique 2009 lobster plan in development

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com