Marbase has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Miawpukek First Nation (MFN) "to jointly pursue the feasibility, design, construction, operation, and financing of its approved lumpfish hatchery to be located in Marystown, NL". According to the announcement, MFN's participation will be through a proposed equity position in the company.
Lumpfish, which feed on sea lice, is a natural biological tool for controlling sea lice in Atlantic salmon farms. Thanks to it, salmon farmers will be able to reduce the use of pesticides, making their operations more environmentally friendly. Marbase will produce lumpfish from local broodstock in onshore tanks. This tool will be added to the other services to the aquaculture industry they offer.
The lumpfish hatchery is a key project of the aquaculture service center that Marbase plans to build on the site of the former Marystown shipyard. The company and the MFN Tribe will begin collaborating immediately on the project, which will create jobs and bring economic activity to the Burin Peninsula.
"The lumpfish hatchery in Marystown has received overwhelming public support", Mi'sel Joe, Chief of the Miawpukek First Nation, explained. "People understand and welcome the fact that the hatchery will play an important role in providing the province's salmon farmers with an environmentally friendly way to control sea lice thereby reducing the need for pesticides in our oceans", he said.
Paul Antle, Chairman and CEO of Marbase, was also pleased with the agreement. "We are excited to embrace this opportunity with MFN given their focus on sustainable fishing practices and current involvement in the aquaculture sector", he stated. "Our combined experience and alignment on providing sustainable solutions to the aquaculture industry make this a natural fit".
Following a concept developed by Paul Antle and Bjorn Apeland, Marbase is a fully integrated aquaculture service hub to support aquaculture industry. Located on the site of the former shipyard in Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, the company will revitalize the facility and aim to breathe new life into the entire region. The lumpfish hatchery is at the center of the project. However, Marbase will also offer many other services to the aquaculture industry, such as salmon feed storage/production, barge construction/repair, cage construction/dismantling/removal, net washing/repair/recycling, aquaculture vessel repair, vendor space rental, diving services or remote services.