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Ref:614/03 |
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united kingdom
- Mar 20, 2003 |
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Full Cycle Cod Farming
Receives Significant Support in Newfoundland
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SEAFOOD.COM NEWS by John Sackton March 20, 2003
Full cycle cod farming, from egg to plate, is about
to take off in Newfoundland. Although the province
has a history of cod grow-out, where wild fish are
held in pens and their weight is doubled, the future
of cod aquaculture in the province is in full cycle
cod farming.
The largest cod hatchery in the world, with a capacity
of 6 million fish per year, is under construction and
will be in operation by the fall of 2003. In addition,
about 60,000 fry produced by the hatchery managers in
2000 will be ready for market this year.
Further brightening the picture for cod farming is the
provincial government's commitment to aquaculture, and
specifically cod aquaculture in the province. Speaking
at the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Alliance
annual meeting in Gander last night, Provincial
Fisheries and Aquaculture minister Yvonne Davis said
that aquaculture had been identified by the government
as one of three primary areas of economic growth. As a
result, the government will bring to bear all its
resources and programs to promote the necessary
infrastructure and research and development capacity
to make Newfoundland a major aquaculture power.
The vision put forward is by 2010 to produce 15,000 to
30,000 tons of cod, and to put cod farming in
Newfoundland on the same economic level as salmon
farming in Scotland.
Newfoundland has come unique advantages in terms of
low cost aquaculture sites. As opposed to aquaculture
leases sited in more densely populated areas, the
Coast of Newfoundland is wide open for aquaculture
sites that would support rural development. Currently
mussel aquaculture is situated along the South Coast,
and the future development of cod farming is planned
for the Northeast Coast. |
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