Hurricane Fiona Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Processors Support

Supports for Fishers

• Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Program
  The Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Program (PDFAP) is administered by the Canadian Red Cross on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Public Safety. Fishing industries that meet the small business thresholds are eligible where the program is available to help with costs to repair or replace uninsurable, essential basic property loss due to disasters.
• Federal Ghost Gear Fund 
  The Ghost Gear Fund is a federally funded program led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and intended to support abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) prevention, retrieval and responsible disposal. Additional funding was announced by DFO in response to post-tropical storm Fiona and a new call for proposals from third parties to support immediate efforts to clean up gear will be available soon.
• Fishing Gear Reporting System
  Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched an online Fishing Gear Reporting System where fish harvesters and authorized retrievers can report their previously lost or retrieved gear, which will help DFO to better target areas for ghost gear retrieval activities.

Supports for Aquaculturists

• Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Program 
  The Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Program (PDFAP) is administered by the Canadian Red Cross on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Public Safety. Aquaculture industries that meet the small business thresholds are eligible where the program is available to help with costs to repair or replace uninsurable, essential basic property loss due to disasters.
• Mussel Aquaculture Gear Recovery
  The Department of Fisheries and Communities is working with marine salvage companies to recover dislodged or entangled gear to help address the mussel industry’s short-term needs. Impacted aquaculturists can call 902-838-0983 or email fionadamagedfc@gov.pe.ca for additional information on this initiative. 
• Federal Ghost Gear Fund  
  The Ghost Gear Fund is a federally funded program led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and intended to support prevention, retrieval and responsible disposal of plastic waste from aquaculture. Additional funding was announced by DFO in response to post-tropical storm Fiona and a new call for proposals from third parties to support immediate efforts to clean up gear will be available soon.
• Fishing Gear Reporting System 
  Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched an online Fishing Gear Reporting System where fish harvesters and authorized retrievers can report their previously lost or retrieved gear, which will help DFO to better target areas for ghost gear retrieval activities.

Supports for Seafood Processors

• Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Program 
  The Provincial Disaster Financial Assistance Program (PDFAP) is administered by the Canadian Red Cross on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Public Safety. Businesses that meet the small business thresholds are eligible where the program is available to help with costs to repair or replace uninsurable, essential basic property loss due to disasters.

Clean-up Efforts

• Assessments are underway to identify necessary resources for immediate and long-term clean-up efforts of the Island’s shoreline through the Cleaning Our Shoreline initiative. 
• Impacted aquaculturists with large or heavily dislodged and entangled gear should contact the Department of Fisheries and Communities to discuss available partnerships or supports

Who do I contact for more information?

Email: fionadamagedfc@gov.pe.ca or call 902-838-0983

Additional government support programs direct to Fishers, Aquaculturists and Seafood Processors will be posted on this page as they are announced.