Backgrounder

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Backgrounder: Inshore fisheries science vessels

Canada's Economic Action Plan

October 14, 2010
Matane, Quebec

The Government is committed to providing Canadians with a sustainable fishery resource that provides for an economically viable and diverse industry. It is also committed to increasing activity in the shipbuilding sector by allocating funds to speed-up needed Government procurement.

In keeping with these objectives, the Government has provided the following support from Canada's Economic Action Plan towards the creation of three inshore fisheries science vessels: a $650,000 design contract, awarded in May 2009 to Robert Allan Ltd of Vancouver, British Columbia; and a $32.3 million construction contract, awarded in February 2010 to Méridien Maritime Reparation in Matane, Quebec.

The Canadian Coast Guard's Inshore Fisheries Science vessels, which are scheduled be delivered by the end of June 2011, will host Fisheries and Oceans Canada fisheries researchers and scientists who conduct critical oceanographic and scientific research in Canada's inshore waters.

Some examples of this work include:

• fishing and acoustic surveys of fish and invertebrates for research purposes
• collection information on the distribution, abundance and biology of a species to be used in stock assessments for new and existing fisheries, and in studies supporting these assessments
• collection of physical, chemical and biological data to monitor changes in marine ecosystems and their impact on fisheries resources and ecosystem health

Different geographic conditions necessitate two types of vessels within this class. Two inshore science vessels will be 22 metres in length and one will be 25 metres. They will be home ported n Mont-Joli,Québec; Shippagan, New Brunswick; and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia). The new vessels will replace existing vessels nearing the end of their service lives.

Support provided for the procurement of the Inshore Fisheries Science vessels is part of the $175 million committed by the Federal Government in Canada's Economic Action Plan for the procurement and repair of Coast Guard vessels.

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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