On May 19, 2009, the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced $8.8 million in research funding in support of 23 strategic research projects in fisheries and aquaculture at universities across Canada. Minister Shea made the announcement at the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI.

The funding is part of a new five-year initiative, led by the Natural Sciences and engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), to support industry-driven research and development (R&D) in fisheries and aquaculture.

“These research projects will boost the global competitiveness, productivity and environmental performance of this important Canadian industry,” said Minister Shea. “Research and development creates jobs, strengthens the economy and improves the quality of life of Canadians. That’s why Canada’s Economic Action Plan includes a $5.1-billion dollar investment in science and technology initiatives.”

A research project on the Integrated Studies of the Effects of Bitter Crab Disease on Atlantic Canadian Snow Crabs, led by Atlantic Veterinary College professor, Dr. Rick Cawthorn, received approximately $370,000 in funding over the next three years.

The goals of the Bitter Crab Disease research include: better understanding the disease, the biology of the parasite and the impact that Bitter Crab Disease may have upon recruitment, abundance and distribution of snow crab. The information gained from the project will be provided to resource managers and industry, and should significantly enhance efforts toward sustaining an important Atlantic Canada fishery.

“Dr. Cawthorn’s research project represents the truly outstanding science that the Atlantic Veterinary College and its researchers are known for,” says Dr. Don Reynolds, Dean of the Atlantic Veterinary College. “It is also a truly collaborative and international project with partners from coast-to-coast.”

Dr. Cawthorn’s co-applicants on the project are Dr. Spencer Greenwood and Dr. Andrea Battison of the Atlantic Veterinary College. Collaborators include Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration based out of Seattle, Washington. The Canadian Centre for Fisheris Innovation and the Fish, Food and Allied Workers’ Union of Newfoundland and Labrador are supporting organizations of the project.