March 26, 1997
(Fisheries and Aquaculture)
New Pilot-Scale Hatchery for
Halibut
The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation
(CCFI) and the Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) of Memorial University of
Newfoundland are introducing Norwegian halibut aquaculture technology to
Newfoundland and Labrador through the development of a pilot-scale hatchery
at the Ocean Sciences Centre in Logy Bay.
The project was announced today by Premier
Brian Tobin and Fred Mifflin, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of
Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency,
and Veterans Affairs), during a news conference held at the OSC. Also
participating in the event was John Efford, Minister of Fisheries and
Aquaculture.
The technology transfer project will receive
an investment of $804,652 from the Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic
Renewal as well as $203,716 from the Canadian Centre for Fisheries
Innovation and Memorial University.
Minister Mifflin said: "With its focus
on halibut, this project brings a new dimension to the province's
aquaculture sector. We are accessing a Norwegian technology that lends
itself to application in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is part of an
overall strategy by both levels of government and the private sector to
foster innovative approaches in the aquaculture sector as a means of
creating sustainable jobs and economic growth."
Premier Tobin characterized the project as,
"a milestone that will help kickstart the rapid development of halibut
aquaculture in Newfoundland and Labrador, and help position the province to
take advantage of farmed halibut as the next major commercial marine species
worldwide. It is one of many initiatives both governments are undertaking to
develop a commercially viable aquaculture industry that is competitive with
aquaculture producers around the world."
John Efford, Minister of Fisheries and
Aquaculture, emphasized the important role aquaculture is playing in the
diversification of the economy. "Through innovative approaches,
government is partnering with the private sector and academic institutions
to capitalize on the growth potential of the aquaculture sector by exploring
the commercial potential of new species and by creating a climate attractive
to potential investors."
Alastair O'Rielly, managing director of the
Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation, pointed out: "CCFI is proud
to see the start-up of this halibut aquaculture development which we have
been pursuing and organizing for the past couple of years. This project
forges an alliance between Memorial's scientific and engineering expertise
and one of the world's leading aquaculture pioneers. We are confident that
this collaboration will lead to rapid commercialization of halibut culture
in the province."
This pilot project is contributing to the
development of advanced aquaculture facilities and techniques and has led to
increased research and training activity at Memorial's OSC. "By
researching better ways to culture halibut and by training students and
technicians in this field, Memorial is strengthening the aquaculture
expertise in this province," said Dr. Arthur May, president of Memorial
University. "This is especially fitting since one of Memorial's
mandates is to provide training and to conduct research in areas which are
particularly relevant to our maritime environment."
The project includes the establishment of a
technology transfer arrangement between Memorial University of Newfoundland
in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation and
Maritime Mariculture Inc. (MMI). Maritime Mariculture Inc. is a Canadian
company based in New Brunswick with ties to one of Norway's leading halibut
aquaculture companies, AMY-AS. The technology transfer arrangement will
obtain for the OSC full access to, and training in, the Norwegian halibut
technology.
David Raymond, president of MMI, noted:
"What makes halibut exciting as a candidate species for aquaculture is
its phenomenal consumer demand. Halibut is the prime white flesh fish in
Europe and North America. Fortunately, even with rapid development and
expansion of halibut farming, it appears that it will take many years for
this demand to be satisfied."
The Ocean Sciences Centre has been renovated
at a cost of $319,067. The centre has a new culture facility specifically
structured to accommodate halibut life-cycle requirements and hatchery
production of juvenile halibut for Newfoundland aquaculture businesses. All
halibut juveniles produced throughout this project will be made available
for pilot-scale grow-out at licensed aquaculture sites in the province.
Active in halibut aquaculture research for
more than 10 years, the OSC has concentrated efforts on the early rearing of
halibut and development of a domesticated broodstock. These efforts resulted
in limited success due to limitations of the facilities such as space
restrictions and water quality control. During this period, however, the OSC
developed a small domesticated broodstock and considerable expertise in
broodstock management, live feed production and animal husbandry practices
related to halibut aquaculture.
The Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic
Renewal is a $100 million, five-year, federal-provincial program designed to
generate long-term economic benefits for the province primarily in the
growth areas of advanced technology, tourism and aquaculture.
Contact:
- Cathy Dornan
Office of the Premier
(709) 729-3564
Josephine Cheeseman
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
(709) 729-3733
Bonnie Mewdell
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
(613) 992-3474
Ivan Muzychka
Memorial University of Newfoundland
(709) 737-8661
Cathie Horan
Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation
(709) 778-0515
Ellen Alcock
Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic Renewal
(709) 772-5116
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BACKGROUNDER
- The Canadian Centre for Fisheries
Innovation (CCFI) provides the fishing and aquaculture industry with the
scientific and technological services resident at Memorial University.
It is a unique organization, being owned by MUN, financed by the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and managed by an industry-led
Board of Directors. Its staff focuses on solving the technical and
scientific problems of individual clients and helping them meet
opportunities. In many strategic areas, the centre also proactively
pursues industry-wide opportunities.
- The development of halibut aquaculture in
Newfoundland was targeted as a top-priority research activity in 1995.
With the species' strong marketing position as the attraction, CCFI has
worked closely with the Ocean Sciences Centre (OSC) on identifying the
technical obstacles to commercial halibut farming. CCFI has also sought
out industry partners to work on commercialization. The OSC-CCFI-MMI
project is the culmination of that first phase in the development of a
viable halibut farming industry. Through this initiative, we can learn
how leaders in this field have cleared the major hurdles and how to
adapt and refine their techniques.
- The opportunity for rapid
commercialization is real. In fact, P. Janes and Sons, Woodman Fisheries
and E.J. Green and Co. have already formed a consortium for development
and are partners with CCFI in commercializing halibut aquaculture.
- CCFI's strategic research program in
aquaculture includes six other cold-water species: sea urchins, Arctic
char, scallops, wolffish, cod and yellowtail flounder. Blue mussels and
salmon/steelhead trout are already recognized as commercial species with
considerable promise and are being supported for further development.
- Research on fisheries-related
biotechnology is gaining in importance as well. Researchers are
developing new delivery mechanisms for aquaculture vaccines, and working
on ways to control reproduction in fish through nutrition. If
successful, these new advances could form the basis of new local
industries. Elsewhere at Memorial, geneticists are collaborating with
industry on DNA technology to speed up the development of commercial
broodstock with optimal commercial traits.
- In addition to aquaculture and
biotechnology, the centre undertakes applied industrial research for the
harvesting and processing sectors. Recent major initiatives include the
design, development and testing of an innovative crab processing
technology to enhance productivity and quality, and the development of
new anti-roll technology for 65-foot fishing vessels.
HALIBUT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROJECT
- The transfer of Norwegian halibut
aquaculture technology is being accomplished through a technology
transfer agreement with Maritime Mariculture Inc. (MMI), a Canadian
company with ties to one of Norway's leading halibut aquaculture
companies, AMY-AS. MMI has experience in halibut aquaculture both in
Europe and North America.
- The Ocean Sciences Centre was selected
because of the scientific and technological expertise resident in this
facility of Memorial University of Newfoundland.
- The project is contributing to training of
skilled persons in halibut aquaculture thus further enhancing the
current expertise housed at the Ocean Sciences Centre. Knowledge is
being passed on to seven research assistants and two students.
- The project at the Ocean Sciences Centre
required modifications to existing facilities such as the installation
of halibut silos as well as the installation of equipment to clean,
de-gas, and control water temperatures. It is projected that the
facility will produce several thousand juvenile halibut during its first
year of operation.
- New tanks and equipment, valued at
$339,067, have been installed at the Ocean Sciences Centre to improve
the effectiveness of existing facilities for future research.
- Operating costs will be shared between
Maritime Mariculture Inc. and the Ocean Sciences Centre. Maritime
Mariculture Inc.'s costs include salaries for two biologists and
overhead costs. In the long-term, the technology will move from the
Ocean Sciences Centre to commercial producers.
- In total, this phase of the project will
cost $1,008,367. Project contributions include commitments of $94,382
from the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation and $109,334 from
Memorial University of Newfoundland as well as $804,652 from the
Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic Renewal.
- Upwards of 16 litres of eggs have already
been collected from two of the broodstock halibut ("White-Eye"
and "Johnnie"), fertilized, and placed in 11 of the 12 tanks
(250 litres each) in the hatchery area. Once the eggs hatch, they are
transferred to 8,000-litre silos, nine of which have been installed in
the former annex at the rear of the OSC's main building. The silos, each
one five metres high, became operational on February 23, 1997.
- Larvae are only six to seven mm in length
when they first hatch from eggs. They survive on nutrients in their
attached yolk-sacs for 30 to 50 days. The next stage is to present live
food to the larvae once they have used up their yolk-sacs and developed
the ability to capture and fully digest live food.
- Artemia (brine shrimp), rotifers (tiny
marine animals) and algae will be added to the tanks as a food source
until the larvae approach metamorphosis, the stage of development where
the left eye migrates to the right side of the fish and the halibut
assumes the typical flatfish appearance.
- Atlantic halibut is a prized food fish
commanding a premium market price of around $12 U.S. per kilogram, and
for this reason has gained significant attention as a potential
aquaculture species.
Aquaculture component
Canada/Newfoundland Agreement on Economic Renewal
The investment of $20 million in aquaculture
allows a range of projects to be undertaken in the following five strategic
directions:
- Financial and Marketing ($1 million): to
facilitate development of the industry based on the identification of
sound, sustainable competitive advantages e.g. benchmarking, inter-firm
comparisons, market demand analysis, investment prospecting, and generic
promotion.
- Coastal Zone Aquaculture Planning ($1
million): to assist in maximizing sustainable development opportunities
by reducing the potential for conflict, harmonizing policies and
procedures, and providing data analysis tools. This component will be
achieved through development of a GIS data base to facilitate government
and industry planning; review of government policies and procedures; and
collection, analysis and distribution of relevant data.
- Communications, Advocacy and Education ($1
million): to improve skills, knowledge and awareness within the
industry; to support the industry association in meeting its mandate
particularly in the production and delivery of educational materials and
training programs.
- Applied Research and Development ($9
million): to establish research programs to provide a basis for
achieving sustainable development of the industry. This will be
accomplished through the establishment of research facilities aimed at
ensuring the sustainability of finfish and shellfish aquaculture in the
Newfoundland environment.
- Extension Services ($8 million): to
provide for expansion of the industry through creation of supporting
infrastructure and industry services. Programs include provision of
extension and fish health services, collection of regional site
suitability information, and establishment and operation of
demonstration facilities.
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