NR-HQ-01-81E

Dhaliwal welcomes first proposals under Aquaculture Collaborative R&D Program

September 4, 2001

OTTAWA -- The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans received about 70 proposals at the close of the first round of the Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP).

"The number of proposals we’ve received clearly demonstrates the level of interest the industry has in this program," said Minister Dhaliwal. "The details of the ACRDP were announced only three months ago. The response to the program thus far exemplifies the commitment of both the aquaculture industry and the government to ensure that this sector develops in an innovative and sustainable manner."

The first round officially closed on June 29, 2001, and the proposals received are currently under review. The final selection of proposed projects will be based on whether the proposals meet certain ACRDP eligibility requirements and criteria, including industry relevance and priority. The deadline for the second round of proposals under the ACRDP is September 15, 2001. The Department expects to officially announce the list of approved projects early this fall.

The ACRDP, a $20 million five-year fund, is a partnership program between aquaculture producers and government researchers. As part of the $75 million Program for Sustainable Aquaculture announced last summer, the fund has been allotted for scientific research projects, which are to be proposed and jointly funded by aquaculture industry partners.

The ACRDP invites research proposals from aquaculture producers and producer associations that will result in new information and technology for the industry, which will lead to an increase in Canada’s market share of this sector. Proposals may be submitted on various issues ranging from animal health and nutrition to the development of broodstock and environmental stewardship.

Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food-producing industries in the world. The latest figures show that the Canadian aquaculture industry produced more than 113,000 tonnes of product in 1999, totalling $558 million. This represents nearly a quarter of the total value of Canadian fish and seafood production.

For additional information on the ACRDP, please visit the program’s web site at:

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/aquaculture/acrdp_e.htm