P.E.I. spending $100,000 to help accelerate growth of oyster fishery

CHARLOTTETOWN -- Prince Edward Island is spending $100,000 on a program to develop more oyster beds and improve the quality of existing beds.

Fisheries Minister Ron MacKinley says the province is joining with the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association on projects that include collecting and spreading oyster seed, and moving small oysters to beds across the province.

The government says more than seven million pounds of oysters were harvested in 2012 with an economic value of $14 million.

The oyster season opened Wednesday.