Province renews Shellfish Enhancement Program

Oyster fishers will continue to benefit with renewed provincial investments under the Shellfish Enhancement Program. 

The Department of Fisheries and Communities is investing $100,000 through the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association to enhance and develop publicly fished shellfish beds across the province and carry out projects to continue to develop the oyster fishery. 

“The provincial government is committed to supporting and growing Prince Edward Island’s shellfish industry. Today’s funding announcement emphasizes this commitment,” said Jamie Fox, Minister of Fisheries and Communities. “There is a growing demand for Prince Edward Island shellfish and we are pleased to be able to work with the P.E.I. Shellfish Association to help industry take advantage of the vast market potential.”

The Shellfish Association leads a number of projects that contribute to the sustainability of the shellfish fishery such as the collection of juvenile oysters and spreading of 2018 and 2019 juvenile oysters on public oyster beds, relay of broodstock shellfish to important seed collection areas, and relay of small oysters to deeper areas where they will not be impacted by ice damage during the winter.  

Media contact:
Wayne MacKinnon
(902) 314-3407
wemackinnon@gov.pe.ca