Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development: Programs, Services and Forms

Programs, Services and Forms

PROGRAMS to Assist Fishers and Aquaculturists:

Future Fisher Program
The purpose of the Future Fisher Program is to provide mentoring and financial support to new entrants into the Prince Edward Island lobster fishery to become knowledgeable on various aspects of the fishery and better positioned for success. The program will assist the fishing industry to develop a solid foundation with a new generation of fishers in Prince Edward Island.

Fishers Low Interest Loan Program
The purpose of the Fishers Low Interest Loan Program is to assist Prince Edward Island fishers experiencing financial difficulties due to rising costs, low landings in some areas and market conditions that have resulted in low shore prices for lobsters. The Fishers Low Interest Loan Program is a joint initiative of the PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, and the PEI Lending Agency.

PEI Aquaculture Leasing Policy
The Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development is a partner in the PEI Aquaculture Leasing Program administered by the Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The Department , Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the aquaculture industry cost share the operation of the program.
For further information, please contact Neil MacNair or Lori Cuddy, Fisheries and Oceans Canada at (902) 566-7849.

Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Initiative Inc.
Provides industry associations, private businesses, public institutions and/or individual fishers and aquaculturists with increased access to applied and developmental research.
For further information please contact Kelly Cantelo.

Aquaculture Environmental Practices Program
This program provides an incentive for private aquaculture operators, groups of operators, processors or industry organizations to adopt procedures, practices or equipment that enhance the overall environmental performance of aquaculture. The program will assist the aquaculture sector to manage aquaculture operations in an environmentally sustainable manner while ensuring economic viability and maximum product quality.
For further information please contact Brian Gillis.

Aquaculture Technology Program
This program provides an incentive for private aquaculture operations to develop or adopt new techniques or technologies in order to expand production, reduce production costs or otherwise increase earnings through more efficient production, to assess new approved species or to improve the environmental acceptability of aquaculture.
For further information please contact Brian Gillis.

SERVICES Provided by the Department:

Dead Marine Mammal Disposal
This service is responsible for co-ordinating and paying the costs for removal of dead marine mammals (seals, dolphins, and whales) and large fish (sharks and tuna) that appear on Island beaches.
For further information please contact Lloyd Murphy.

Oyster Monitoring Program
This program reports on the concentration and size of larvae present in the primary oyster seed collection areas in P.E.I. The intent of this program is to aid those collecting oyster seed to manage their operations as efficiently as possible.
For further information please contact Matt Smith.

Mussel Monitoring Program and Results
This service focuses primarily on mussel spatfall prediction, mussel meat yield analysis, water temperature evaluation, the detection and estimation of the numbers of potentially toxic algae species and the monitoring of predators and fouling organisms. The program also provides mussel processing plants with information such as mussel meat quality at harvest which assists the processor in providing the consumer with a quality product.
For further information please contact Gary Smith.

FORMS (application forms, license forms, monthly statement forms, etc.):

Please note that effective January 1, 2006, the fees have changed for licenses and are listed below:

Primary Processing License - $200 per establishment
Secondary Processing License - $200 per establishment
Lobster Cookroom Processing License - $75 per establishment
Groundfish Processing License - $75 per establishment
Fish Buying License - $50 per license class per buying station
Fish Peddling License - $25 per vehicle