New fund available for Canadian fish and seafood industry

The Government of Canada has launched the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund, a new cost-shared fund (70 per cent federal and 30 per cent provincial territorial) to promote market access and development for the fish and seafood industry. The fund will enable provinces and territories to support their industries’ priority projects and help Canadians working in the fish and seafood sector by creating jobs and developing more opportunities for Canadian products.

The $42.85 million program will support the fish and seafood sectors in all participating provinces and territories by encouraging industry collaboration to promote high quality products. The Government of Canada will continue to work with its provincial and territorial partners to develop industry partnerships, and will engage stakeholders to help shape the program and identify ongoing priority areas for investments in Canada over the life of the program.

The Fund is now open for business and is accepting Expressions of Interest from potential project proponents. Further details on the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund are available at:  www.canadafisheriesfunds.ca

Canada exported fish and seafood products to 137 countries last year. Canada’s largest exports by value in 2017 were lobster, snow/queen crab, farmed Atlantic salmon, and shrimp.