Governments deliver $500K for oyster innovation

A local development corporation in western P.E.I. is getting $500,000 from ACOA and the provincial government to support an oyster aquaculture program.

The money for West Prince Ventures' Quality Oyster Aquaculture Program will help oyster growers and operators adopt new technologies to increase production and efficiency, promote high quality oyster yields, and improve safety in handling and storage, said ACOA in a news release.

"There's a growing demand … the markets are quite strong," said Maxine Rennie, executive director of West Prince Ventures.

Now is the time to grow Prince Edward Island's oyster industry.- Alan McIsaac

"We want to be able to support the industry and meet those demands."

Rennie said oyster growers that apply for funding will be drawn at random from a lottery process.

The deadline to apply is Dec. 8. She hopes to have the funds to the oyster farmers by the end of the fiscal year, March 31. 

"Oysters are increasing in popularity," said provincial Fisheries Minister Alan McIsaac.

"Now is the time to grow Prince Edward Island's oyster industry and we are very pleased to have support from the federal government to do so."

ACOA is offering a $300,000 grant with the remaining money coming from the province.

West Prince Ventures is a community business development corporation, governed by a local volunteer board of directors, that provides financial and technical services.

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