Prince Edward Island has joined forces with the province’s aquaculture industry to increase awareness of aquatic invasive species like green crab and tunicates, which could adversely impact PEI’s shellfish industry.
“The shellfish industry is an important sector for our province employing more than 3,000 Islanders and contributing more than $80 million to the provincial economy,” said Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development, Ron MacKinley. “Educating users of our waterways is an important step in slowing the spread of invasive species that are here now and preventing new pests from being introduced to our waters.”
The Prince Edward Island Atlantic Shrimp Corporation and the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development will fund the awareness campaign, which will be delivered by the Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance. The project will include a website, handouts, posters, and event presentations.
“It’s crucial that our industry spearhead projects on subjects of high importance for aquaculture,” said Ann worth, the executive director of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance. “Protecting our waters from invasive species transfer and introduction is important work. We have a world class mussel, oyster, and finfish industry that thrives in part because of our ability to manage and protect our water environment.”