The health of our aquaculture products themselves is also a concern. Indeed, maintaining healthy and disease-free fish is an obvious concern for aquaculturists. While Canada already has stringent salmonid health protection regulations in place, we re working to improve this regime, and expand it to include other finfish and shellfish through the National Aquatic Animal Health Program that I mentioned earlier. As a model for our work, we re using the best aspects of the terrestrial animal health program that s been quite successful in Canada s agriculture sector. But throughout all of the decisions we make, research and development must be made a central priority.
Aquaculture is certainly no stranger to science.
This innovative industry has relied on science since day one to develop its products and techniques. This close relationship must continue. And today, we re taking it to the next level. I m pleased to announce that the Program is now in place, and we re accepting proposals for projects to be jointly funded by aquaculture producers. Quite simply, this innovative, industry-driven program will bring industry and DFO researchers closer together .