Fisheries and Communities Minister Jamie Fox issued the following statement on the passing of Joe Van Den Bremt:
“On behalf of the province of Prince Edward Island, I wish to express my condolences to the family and friends of Joe Van Den Bremt.
Joe was a pioneer of the mussel industry on Prince Edward Island. He was the first grower that experimented with cultivating mussels in our Island waters and it was his work that truly convinced government of the potential of the mussel industry.
Joe worked with the provincial government to experiment with different growing methods for mussels and established farms in both the Boughton and Cardigan Rivers.
Thanks to his persistence and vision, thousands of Islanders work each year in the aquaculture industry, and our province has gained world-wide renown for the excellence of its cultured mussels.
As well as an industry pioneer, Joe will be remembered as a family man. I offer my sympathies to his family and loved ones in Canada, the United States and Belgium on this loss.
His presence in the Island community will be sorely missed.”
Media contact:
Ron Ryder
Department of Fisheries and Communities
902-314-6367
rrryder@gov.pe.ca