Two Vancouver Island projects are getting funding to help boost the competitiveness of B.C.’s seaweed and shellfish producers.
North Island College will receive $881,000 to create a Seaweed Innovation Hub, which will create a seaweed seed bank and a mobile processing unit.
It will help North Island communities, which have been working for years to expand seaweed farming. Last year a plan developed by Canadian Kelp Research confirmed the North Island coast is well-suited to farm multiple types of seaweed at commercial scale.
The B.C. Shellfish Growers Association will be given $250,000 to help small-scale shellfish producers boost productivity and expand into global markets.
The funding is through PacificCAN and will help both industries increase product value, expand export opportunities, and create new jobs in B.C.
