In an effort to make a more sustainable fishing industry, the federal government announced a $5.4-million boost in funding for new, clean technology in B.C.
Under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program, the funds, along with $785,000 from the provincial government, will go toward 36 projects across B.C.
On the Sunshine Coast, five projects are set to receive these funds, which cover up to 75 per cent of the eligible project costs.
Northern Divine Aquafarms Ltd. in Sechelt is slated to receive $69,277 for installing a solar-powered composting system to process fish waste.
In Gibsons, Dark Horse Fishing is getting $68,598 to increase freezing capacity and reduce refrigerant leaks.
The other three projects are located in Madeira Park.
Sustainable Seas Fishing Inc. will get $51,855 to help install a new sonar sounder to identify sensitive areas on the seafloor and areas that may cause gear loss.
RK Fishing Inc. will receive $44,527 for the installation of a less carbon-intensive holding system for live spot prawns, and a solar panel array to offset the holding tank’s power consumption.
To support installing a new sonar system for bottom mapping, Gladiator Enterprises Inc. will receive $38,072.
In a press release, Patrick Weiler, MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country, noted the fisheries and aquaculture sector supports thousands of jobs across the region.
“Through the Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program, we are supporting these jobs while creating a more sustainable and productive industry for the long-term,” Weiler said. “This investment will grow British Columbia’s world-class seafood sector, increasing revenue, creating jobs, and make Canada’s blue economy more sustainable.”
The Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program aims “to accelerate the use of more sustainable and efficient tools, practices and techniques” with a total of $20 million in funding. Since 2017, the funding from the technology adoption program has helped 80 projects across the country, including the most recent 36 in B.C.
