Seafood producers searching for reduction in energy costs

By Clayton Hunt

FOR THE SOU’WESTER

The Newfoundland government, in conjunction with the Association of Seafood Producers (ASP), will be investing funds in the amount of $89,000 to help the ASP reduce energy costs in the fish processing sector in the province.

"The high cost of energy is one of the greatest challenges facing the fishing industry at the present time," said Trevor Taylor, the acting Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "While it is a global factor over which we have no direct control, opportunities do exist whereby we can mitigate the impact."

To help lessen the impact of high-energy cost on the processing sector, the ASP will hire a consultant to prepare an in-depth energy reduction study at two multi-species processing facilities within the province. It will include an energy audit of all operations and the identification of cost-saving measures to reduce energy costs and alternate technologies to reduce and recycle.

A spokesperson for the ASP said that the two plants where the study will take place are Beothic Fisheries in Valleyfield and the Fogo Cooperative in Fogo.

"Hopefully, this association with government will be the first step in a long-term effort to deal with increasing energy costs in the industry," said Derek Butler, the executive director of ASP. "This initial study is one of the very visible ways we can work to improve the industry, and we are pleased with the support we are receiving for it."

Once the in-depth study is completed, the ASP and the Provincial Government have committed to make the results available to all industry processors, not just those represented by the ASP.

(Clayton Hunt is a journalist with Transcontinental Media’s Coaster newspaper, which is a contributor to the Sou’Wester.)