news
September 18, 2006
Shellfish Awards Recognize
Contributions To Industry.
More
info...
November 15, 2006
The PEI Shellfish Association announces the launch of it's new website.
financial contributions
• In the 1980’s and 1990’s enhancement was 100% funded by Federal and Provincial dollars from $150,000 to $250,000 yearly.
• Since the mid 1990’s Federal dollars ceased. Since then annual enhancement budgets are $100,000 with 80% Provincial contribution and 20% industry.
• Through the Employment Development Agency laborers are hired annually to carry out enhancement activities (15-20 employees).
• The costs of operation has risen significantly to operate the enhancement program while the budget has remained the same. Consequently it is more challenging to continue the same levels of enhancement.
industry contribution
• It has always been a challenge to get industry contribution.
• In the mid 1990’s when Federal funding was withdrawn a voluntary contribution of $50 was requested from fishers. After two to three years it was obvious that this method was not going to be sufficient to recover enough funds to carry out the 20%.
• Through the PEI Natural Products Marketing Act a commodity board was established and a $50 fee was set to be collected by the processors. We are in our 5th year of our commodity fee collection with a similar shortfall occurring. Obviously with 1,140 licenses and approximately 700 active fishers, at least $35,000 should be received yearly. Since beginning we continue to receive fees from only 200-300 Fishers. It is evident that all processors are not complying fully to the commodity fee collection.
• There has been some discussion on a mandatory fee. We feel that this is the direction we have to take to fulfill industry’s obligation.
organization involvement
• Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association (BBEMA)
• Northumberland Strait Eco System Working Group Member
• PEI International Festival
• Tyne Valley Oyster Festival
• Introduction and Transfers Sub Committee
• Introductions and Transfers Tunicate Subcommittee
• PEI Shellfish Advisory Committee
• Aquatic Invasive Species Steering Committee
• Canadian Marine Advisory Committee
• PEI Shellfish Growing Area Classification Working Group
• PEI Council Professional Fish Harvesters
• Bideford River & Lennox Island Channel Area Management Committee
• Leasing Management Committee
challenges
1. Management for the Association year round.
2. Fair prices to fishermen for their product.
3. Financial Resources for Association operations such as;
• Launching Sites
Sites have been established in West River, and Lot 10. Problem areas are East River, Grand River, Wilmot, Bedeque and Mill river.
• Trailer Parks
Bedeque - Proposal has been submitted to ACOA for a $300,000 project and we are waiting for approval or disapproval of this project.
York Point – It is in its final year of operation. We understand it will be available for a parking area in the future.
• Protection
Protection has always been an issue. It has been greatly impacted by the reduction of staff over the past number of years. We feel that protection for shellfish activities has been neglected and we should have officers designated to our industry. We understand three new officers have been appointed to West Prince and we are happy to hear this but we hope that these officers will have the oyster and clam fisheries high on their priorities.