SHIPPAGAN (GNB) – Fisheries and Aquaculture Day will be held at the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre on Friday, July 19. The event is part of the New Brunswick Fisheries and Aquaculture Festival.

The fishing and aquaculture industries as well as stakeholders from the agriculture sector will be represented this year.

“This event provides both residents and visitors with the opportunity to learn about the abundance of fresh food that comes from the land and local waters, the wide variety of related value-added products that are made from it, and about the people who fish and produce it,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp. “People have become increasingly interested in knowing where their food comes from. Promoting and providing these types of opportunities are what our new Buy Local Initiative is all about.”

The Buy Local summer tour was launched in June. Summer student Victoria Blakely has been crisscrossing the province in the specially-decorated van. Olscamp has also attended the various fairs, festivals, and markets when possible. The Buy Local van will be attending the Fisheries and Aquaculture Day.

The day's theme is From the lab to your plate. Activities for the whole family will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A number of demonstration and tasting booths related to aquaculture, fisheries, and agri-food activities will be located in the Convention Centre, a new building next to the aquarium. The Professional Shellfish Growers Association of New Brunswick will also participate in the event.

Local producers and processors will be offering visitors free samples of their products to taste. In addition, visitors can enjoy a full seafood meal in the Pavillon Aquatique restaurant, beside the aquarium.

Many activities will be available, especially for children, including crafts and face painting.  Musicians will perform from noon to 4 p.m. enabling visitors to dance to music that has an Acadian beat.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Day is an opportunity to meet the staff of the marine centre, which includes employees of the departments of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries and the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, as well as meet representatives of the shellfish, fisheries and agriculture industries of New Brunswick.


17-07-13