ConAqua Ltd. Presents Development Plans to Harbour Breton Economic Development Committee On Monday, March 29, Bill Carter of ConAqua Limited presented the company's long term plans for development in the Coast of Bays region. Mayor Churence Rogers welcomed everyone to the meeting including members of the council, economic development committee, representatives of the Coast of Bays Corporation and the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

Mr. Carter began by stating that the Blue Mussel aquaculture industry in the region could see about 20 sites - 9 developmental and 11 commercial - occupying some 450 hectares and producing approximately 3.5 million pounds of raw material. He indicated that ConAqua is poised to become a major player in this industry.

ConAqua was formed in 1995 with the principals of the company having strengths in finance and management. In 1998, ConAqua partnered with Blue Water Farms whose principals brought to the partnership strong "hands-on", technical expertise and a perfect marriage of skillsets was in place. Between the two partners, the total area being farmed is 74 hectares, with 5,200 seed collectors and 22,400 socks with an annual harvest of 560,000 pounds.

Bill encouraged other Blue Mussel aquaculture companies to consider partnership arrangements to build on their collective strengths. ConAqua's experience thus far has been very beneficial. They share capital costs such as boats, ropes and floats as well as overhead costs such as office space and travel. They now have more buying and selling power and the management people manage while the technical people look after the day to day husbandry.

Mr. Carter outlined the financial resources required to get their sites to the present day stages. The company's projections indicate the 2000 employment levels at the Jerseyman's Harbour site to be six persons for twenty-two weeks and six persons for twenty weeks at "The Tickle" site. The long term plans of ConAqua Limited include:

• Maintaining the current level of activity at Jerseyman's Harbour
• Expanding "The Tickle" site to full scale, commercial
• Evaluating the potential for a third site in the Connaigre subregion
• A regional raw material grading facility
• A value-added, secondary processing facility

With a third site, ConAqua estimates the total annual production from all three sites to be approximately 1.2 million pounds. resulting in an additional 6-8 persons working for a period of 22 weeks annually and a grading/value-added facility could result in employment for a further 18-20 people part-time for 36-40 weeks annually. A grading and a value-added facility in the region will:

1. eliminate unnecessary transportation costs
2. eliminate dumping of raw material not suitable for the "fresh" market
3. produce an increased value, "consumer ready" product
4. utilize existing infrastructure - wharf, property and building
5. employ a skilled fisheries workforce, and
6. keep employment benefits in the Coast of Bays region.

Taking advantage of the climate, clean water and ice free coastal conditions, ConAqua Limited plans to be a major player in the Blue Mussel aquaculture industry in the region, consistent with the Coast of Bays Strategic Economic Plan and the Town of Harbour Breton's development plan.

For more information about aquaculture in the Coast of Bays region, contact:
Harold Murphy, Aquaculture Development Officer
Coast of Bays Corporation
General Delivery
Harbour Breton, Newfoundland
A0H 1P0
Phone: 709-885-2875
Fax: 709-885-2834
E-mail: cobaqua@nf.sympatico.ca