As part of an 18 month market development strategy, seven New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island companies and fishermen associations from the lobster industry recently returned from China after a two week trade mission to promote frozen lobster products, thanks to investments by the Government of Canada and the provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Industry and government representatives took part in meetings with key Chinese seafood buyers, and participated in the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo, the largest seafood show in Asia,

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), the Honourable Rick Doucet, New Brunswick Minister of Fisheries, and the Honourable Neil LeClair, Prince Edward Island Fisheries Minister of Aquaculture and Rural Development announced a total investment of over $700,000 towards the strategy.

“The Government of Canada, through the Economic Action Plan, is taking steps to stimulate the economies of communities and industries hard hit by the economic slowdown. This important partnership will benefit our region by expanding opportunities for the lobster industry in both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Ashfield. “Through the investment of nearly $440,000 we are working with the lobster industry in New Brunswick and PEI to develop new markets to respond to the changing economy. This is a great example of how we are working together to provide growth opportunities at home and throughout the global marketplace.”

“To ensure a sustainable, viable and self-sufficient fishing and seafood-processing industry, it is essential that we focus our efforts on market diversification,” said Fisheries Minister, Rick Doucet. “The 18-month market development plan being launched in partnership with ACOA and PEI is innovative and targets long-term solutions to the challenges being faced in particular by our lobster industry. China is the world's largest consumer of fish and seafood. It is a market that represents opportunities for our seafood processors and great potential for exports from our province.”

“China represents major opportunities for Atlantic Canadian lobsters, and I am pleased that government and industry are working together in this way to pursue those opportunities,” said Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister, Neil LeClair. “Expanding markets for lobster products is key to the strength and stability of the industry.”

Today’s investment will support the development and implementation of an 18-month comprehensive marketing strategy for the NB/PEI lobster industry, targeting both seafood buyers and consumers in the Chinese market. To accomplish this goal, participating Maritime seafood companies are working with market development specialists in government, and private consulting firms that specialize in the China Market.

Industry partners participating on the first of two missions include: Pêcheries GEM Ltd., LA Trading Inc., Maritime Fishermen’s Union, Moncton Fish Market, Connor Brothers Ltd., Ocean Pride Fisheries Ltd., and Mariner Seafood Inc.

The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is contributing $439,520 toward the project through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF). Canada’s Economic Action Plan provided a total of $1 billion over two years for CAF to support initiatives which help create and maintain jobs in communities impacted by the economic downturn. Atlantic Canada’s allocation of $100 million under CAF is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The Province of New Brunswick, and the Province of Prince Edward Island, through their Departments of Fisheries, as well as significant private sector investment are also investing in the project.

For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

As part of an 18 month market development strategy, seven New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island companies from the lobster industry recently returned from China after a two week trade mission to promote frozen lobster products, thanks to investments by the Government of Canada, Departments of Fisheries from the provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and participating seafood companies.

The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), the Honourable Rick Doucet, New Brunswick Minister of Fisheries, and the Honourable Neil LeClair, Prince Edward Island Fisheries Minister of Aquaculture and Rural Development today announced a total investment of nearly $700,000 towards the strategy. The project is designed to create new international market opportunities that will contribute to economic growth for the lobster sector of both provinces.

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INFORMATION:

Erin Filliter
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (ACOA)
613-941-7241

Katharine Sidenius
Communications 
New Brunswick Department of Fisheries 
506-457-3549

Paul CJ LeBlanc 
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA New Brunswick 
506-452-3310

Wayne MacKinnon
Prince Edward Island Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture 
and Rural Development 
902-368-4888