COVID-19 aid flowing to Canada’s fisheries, aquaculture sectors

By SeaWestNews

Canada is shoring up its support for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors with multi-million-dollar aid packages after declaring the nation’s seafood sector as an essential service during the current COVID-19 crisis.

“Our wild and farmed fish and seafood sector has been working closely with other food organizations, together with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and other departments to address the COVID-19 challenge,” said Paul Lansbergen, President of the of Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC).

“It is critical that our members, as important contributors to the food supply chain, maintain their ability to operate and fill grocery store shelves during this crisis.”

Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO, of Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) said continued operations will help to secure the livelihoods of over 80,000 Canadians, mainly in coastal and rural communities, as the economic impact of the pandemic, evolves.

“The federal government has now announced numerous programs that will help our essential workers and businesses to continue to operate and supply Canadians and the global community with Canadian seafood,” he said.

“Wage supports and essential worker definitions are critical programs to support – both financially and morally – our Canadian fish and seafood workers. Our members are committed to maintaining our high-quality standards for Canadians during this challenging time.”

“In addition to supporting the food supply chain, our members in Canadian fish and seafood – both wild and farmed – promote a healthy resource and work to develop an economically sound, market-driven, competitively-structured industry,” both organisations said in a statement.

The Fisheries Council of Canada (FCC) is the voice of Canada’s wild capture fish and seafood industry, while the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) is the national association that speaks for Canada’s seafood farmers.

Earlier this month, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard Bernadette Jordan announced aquaculture and seafood processing companies will have access to the $5 billion Farm Credit Canada loan program. And fishermen, processing workers, and front-line aquaculture workers are entitled to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, which provides $2,000 per month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, small- and medium-sized businesses will have access to $65 billion in support via interest-free loans provided through the Canada Emergency Business Account and the Export Development Canada and Business Development Bank.

“We continue to work together, across all levels of government, and in partnership with harvesters, processors, seafood farmers, and industry, to keep Canadians safe and communities supported,” Jordan wrote in a 27 March statement.

“The seafood sector, and the hard-working women and men behind it, are essential to our collective food security and to Eastern Canada’s economies,” she said.