Community fish fry celebrates major milestone for Hay River Fish Plant
Press Release
September 10, 2024
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced the completion of the construction phase of the Hay River Fish Plant. The event concluded the GNWT’s commitment towards the official opening and operation of the plant as part of the Strategy for Revitalizing the Great Slave Lake Commercial Fishery.
In the immediate short term, more fish is needed for the new plant to maximize its production levels and financial returns to NWT fishers. The Fish Plant is anticipated to be ready to receive and process fish from the winter fishery season.
The Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) has been contracted by the GNWT to run the new Hay River Fish Plant for three years, to help transition and grow the NWT fish processing capabilities. The long-term goal is to return the management and operations of a vibrant and restored commercial fishing industry to local companies, organizations and fishers who work on Great Slave Lake.
This milestone marks the potential for greater returns for new and lifelong fishers working on the lake. It will mean new jobs in processing, packaging, selling, and transporting Northwest Territories (NWT) fish for market and it will mean new products and a greater choice for residents shopping for fresh, healthy, and locally-produced food.
Operation of the fish plant will support local food security.
Quotes
“The completion of the construction phase of the Hay River Fish Plant is a major step on the path towards revitalizing the Great Slave Fishery, supporting a diversified NWT economy. The plant will aim to create new jobs and the ability to process and sell NWT fish, as we progress towards a fishery managed and operated directly by the local companies and fishers who work on the lake.”
– Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment
“It was an honour to take part in today’s celebration, unveiling Hay River’s new, fully constructed fish plant! The plant represents more than just a new facility. It’s a major step towards restoring the Great Slave Lake fishery and supporting NWT fishers with better returns. I look forward to watching the future of the NWT’s fish industry unfold.”
– R.J. Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories
Quick Facts
- Funding for the Hay River Fish Plant was $21,751,000, with significant contributions from CanNor and Infrastructure Canada under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan (ICIP).
- CanNor – $2,226,000
- Infrastructure Canada – $6,654,000
- A receiving station was established in Yellowknife to enable fishers North of the lake to transport fish to the Hay River plant.
- Following the summer season, the GNWT will continue to work with fishers to also revitalize the Great Slave Lake’s winter fishery.
- The GNWT supports the federal governments process to review and transform the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation and will continue to actively monitor and engage in Canada’s transformation of FFMC to support a result that creates meaningful change and benefit for the people of the Northwest Territories.
For media requests, please contact:
Wesley Cook
Communications Officer
Industry, Tourism, and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
iticommunications@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9202 ext. 63037
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