News Release

For immediate release
March 11, 2004

Local Seafood Processor Launches New Product

Sydney, N.S. – A new seafood product, targeting health conscious consumers, will be produced in Sydney.

The Honourable Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria, announced today that Scatarie Seafoods, a venture of New Dawn Enterprises Limited, is developing a small processing facility in the Cossit Heights Industrial Park in Sydney for the processing and sale of a new product, salmon sausage. The sausages are made from salmon bits, a nutritious portion of salmon left after the initial processing stage.

“Value-added processing is one way to derive more wealth and employment from our natural resources,” said Mr. Eyking. “Scatarie Seafoods has identified an untapped market with great potential. I’m proud that a Cape Breton business is leading the way.”

“With a growing trend towards healthier eating, this speciality product offers a new way to enjoy nutritious Atlantic salmon,” said Fisheries and Oceans Minister Geoff Regan in announcing support for the venture.

The product is all natural and is an excellent source of protein, high in Omega 3 acids and low in carbohydrates. Currently the salmon sausages are available through Co-op grocery stores and negotiations are underway with a number of major food chains.

“This product is a unique and healthy alternative to traditional meat sausages,” says Michael Maroun, vice president of New Dawn Enterprises. “We are very excited about this project and the potential for growth.”

The total estimated cost of the project is $390,000. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation will provide a repayable contribution of $105,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Development Program. The plant is expected to create four jobs at the outset with a possibility of three additional jobs and a full-time manager in the future.

New Dawn Enterprises Limited is the oldest and one of the largest community development organizations in Canada. Over the years, it has contributed more than $125 million to the local economy and currently employs 200 people in
15 separate companies.

The Business Development Program provides small- to medium- sized enterprises access to capital in the form of interest-free, unsecured repayable contributions.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Stephen Heckbert
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Tel: (613) 948-7293

John Coady
Office of Mark Eyking, MP
Sydney-Victoria
Tel: (902) 567-6275

Michael Maroun
Vice President, Scatarie Seafoods Ltd.
New Dawn Enterprises
Tel: (902) 539-9560

Rick Beaton
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-3618