Agriculture \ Aquaculture \ Forestry

Recommendation Aquaculture/Agriculture/Forestry (A)-1

A
The Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority should assume responsibility for marketing and marketing research for this cluster.

B
The research centre proposed for UCCB should be actively involved in conducting technical research for the cluster. Genetic research will provide benefits for all three sectors; a marine biologist could greatly help Eskasoni Fisheries' struggle for stability.

Recommendation Aquaculture/Agriculture/Forestry (A)-2

A
The planned UCCB expansion will provide an ideal opportunity to investigate the feasibility of a pilot project that uses wood chips as fuel. This would provide a value-added opportunity for a by-product that is currently under-utilized. The creation of this new market would also enhance the suppliers abilities to economically supply specialty woods for processing and export. This project could serve as a model for other government buildings to be constructed (e.g. buildings to house decentralized government offices).

B
Government agencies (ECBC) should support this cluster only in projects that have a clearly discernable value-added component, are innovative, or export (or import substitution) oriented. This sector must look beyond its traditional methods of operation and marketing if it is to survive in a rapidly globalizing economy.

C
Several millions of dollars have been invested in aquaculture in Cape Breton in the past 25 years, without the industry reaching commercial viability. Eskasoni Fisheries was on the verge of reaching commercial success until the algae bloom disaster in Whycocomagh. This suggests that aquaculture could have a future in Cape Breton; however, the sector is seriously lacking in scientific and technical expertise. This expertise must be resident at the proposed UCCB research centre. If the sector does not receive the requisite scientific or technical support it cannot be expected to reach commercial viability.

D
The operation of ECBC's Point Edward Demonstration Farm should be reevaluated. In the 1993 Evaluative Audit of the ECBC Agriculture Unit, the survey showed that less than half of the respondents used the farm frequently, citing "no need" or "too far away" as reasons, while most of those who did use the farm, used it for applying for funding or as a meeting place. An advisory board of successful farmers should be established to determine the future direction and purpose of the farm and to ensure it supports only innovation, value-added and export or import substitution.


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