New whale-safe equipment and acoustic technologies will be tested by snow crab fishers in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The federal and provincial governments announced a joint investment of nearly $3.4 million this week.

The three-year project is being run by the Association des crabiers acadiens Inc., according to a news release.

It includes testing on-demand technology which allows a buoy to rise to the water’s surface on demand.

Fishers will also test low-breaking strength gear, which is a weaker rope that breaks more easily.

In addition, the project also involves tracking whales and vessels using hydrophones.

The New Brunswick snow crab industry exported $349.3 million worth of product in 2022.