Coastal Shellfish plans get a Legislature shout out

The seafood passing through the Seal Cove plant for Coastal Shellfish was 
the focus for North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice on Monday at the Legislature 
(Photo from MLA Rice's presentation)

North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice is back in the Legislature chamber this week, having shifted her duties from her remote contributions from her constituency to her familiar spot on the government side of the House.

On Monday afternoon, the MLA made use of her time in the Statements portion of the day to provide an update on a thriving North Coast business, sharing some of the success that has been found by Coastal Shellfish from their Seal Cove location in Prince Rupert.

Ms. Rice highlighted the progress that has been found by the Indigenous led initiative and how area First Nations are delivering on environmental and sustainability goals and plans for expansion of the business that currently hosts sixty employees.

"If we want to protect our forests, rivers and oceans and have a thriving economy, we need sustainable industries that respect environmental stewardship, Indigenous rights and local communities. Since 2003 local First Nations on the north coast have invested over $25 million to create the first scallop aquaculture operation in North America and likely the largest operation in the world. 

They are developing a brand-new industry in North America, and this year, they were poised to dramatically ramp up operations. While COVID-19 has sidelined their planned growth, they still are optimistic about their future prospects as North America's leaders in shellfish aquaculture. 

Today Coastal Shellfish employs around 60 people in Prince Rupert and surrounding communities in their scallop farm and processing plant. This is a huge turning point for Prince Rupert, which has been losing fishing and processing jobs for decades. In fact, Coastal Shellfish is now operating out of the old Canfisco fish processing plant, which ended operations four years ago, putting 580 people out of work."

The MLA's comments for the Legislature can be explored further from the Legislature Hansard starting at the 1:45 PM  mark.

Her Presentation can also be viewed below.

 

For more notes on the work of the North Coast MLA see our archive page here.