Two Vancouver Island projects will receive more than $2.8 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments to boost British Columbia's billion-dollar seafood industry and protect this valuable resource. Funds will establish a west coast Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences in Campbell River and ensure continued shellfish research at Malaspina University College in Nanaimo.

The Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), John Les, British Columbia Minister of Small Business and Economic Development, and John van Dongen, British Columbia Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries announced the funding today.

"Both the B.C. Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences and the Centre for Shellfish Research at Malaspina University College will strengthen B.C.'s capacity in aquatic health sciences," said Owen. "More research and better facilities mean greater opportunities for aquaculture development and the sustainability of our coastal B.C. communities."

The west coast Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences will receive $2.4 million under the joint federal-provincial Western Economic Partnership Agreement for laboratory equipment and leasehold improvements to create office and laboratory space for the centre in the Maritime Heritage centre building in Campbell River. The centre will address research needs of both the culture and capture industries respecting the health of wild and cultured fish and the aquatic environment.

The Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) at Malaspina University College will receive $460,000 under the joint WEPA. The funding will be used to add offices and meeting rooms to a new research laboratory, purchase research equipment, and hire an additional shellfish research specialist.

WEPA funding has helped many organizations move forward with innovative ideas that have benefited all British Columbians," said Les. "Funding the Centre for Shellfish Research and the Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences will help position British Columbia for future growth in the seafood industry, support safety and quality of B.C. seafood products and create more jobs and greater economic benefits not only for B.C.'s coastal communities, but for the entire province."

In 2003, the B.C. seafood industry generated more than $1 billion in revenues and employed some 7,500 people. The wholesale value of the shellfish industry alone - wild and farmed - was more than $226 million in 2003.

The seafood industry is an important part of British Columbia's economy, particularly in coastal communities," said van Dongen. "Good scientific research is one major component for the industry to continue to develop in a sustainable way. As worldwide demand grows for quality food products, B.C. has an opportunity to lead the way in meeting the needs of changing markets."

The Western Economic Partnership Agreement is a $50 million joint federal/provincial program supporting economic development in British Columbia. Western Economic Diversification Canada and the provincial Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development jointly administer the program. The agreement was announced on Dec. 4, 2003, and is funded equally by the governments of Canada and British Columbia. The federal portion of this funding was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.

For additional information, contact:

Paul Woolley
Communications Director
Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development
(250) 356-9428

Dave Townsend
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
(250) 356-8950

Susan Schooley
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(604) 666-1318