27 August 2009
Moncton, New Brunswick
Delegates participating in a trade mission to Norway have returned to Atlantic Canada with solid business leads and first-hand knowledge of the latest techniques and technologies being used in the aquaculture industry in Norway and around the world.
Representatives from 11 companies and organizations from across Atlantic Canada participated in the mission, held August 15–22, 2009. While on the mission, delegates took part in Aqua Nor 2009, the world’s largest aquaculture trade show, held every two years in Trondheim, Norway.
The mission was organized by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) in cooperation with the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA).
“We achieved our objectives in Norway,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (ACOA). “Atlantic Canadian companies demonstrated that they are leaders in the international aquaculture community, both in terms of technological know-how and in terms of market penetration. Members of our delegation are coming home with valuable information and insight, as well as renewed relationships and leads for long-term export sales.”
“Our participation at AquaNor 2009 is a success. We have been taking part in this industry-leading trade show for a number of years and our participation is helping to establish Atlantic Canada’s aquaculture industry as leaders within the world marketplace,” said Miranda Pryor, Executive Director of NAIA.
While attending the show, the delegates met with fish farming specialists from around the globe to discuss the newest products and technologies in the aquaculture industry. Mission participants also visited aquaculture farms and research institutions, attended networking events, workshops and one on one meetings with key industry players and research specialists.
Atlantic Canada is a leader in aquaculture and its products are exported around the world. Atlantic Canadian aquaculture exports stood at $146 million in 2008. Overall aquaculture exports from the region increased by 18% from 2004 to 2008. Employment within Atlantic Canada’s aquaculture industry has grown by 350% in the past 20 years, with approximately 2,700 people working within the sector today.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Delegates participating in a trade mission to Norway have returned to Atlantic Canada with solid business leads and first-hand knowledge of the latest techniques and technologies being used in the aquaculture industry in Norway and around the world.
Representatives from 11 companies and organizations from across Atlantic Canada participated in the mission, held August 15-22, 2009 and supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association. The mission coincided with Aqua Nor 2009, the world’s largest aquaculture trade show, held in Trondheim, Norway every two years.
- 30 -
INFORMATION:
Robert Bourgeois
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-6394
Miranda Pryor
Executive Director
Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association St. John's, NL
709-754-2854 (Ext.1)
The following is a list of the Atlantic Canadian aquaculture sector companies and organizations that took part in AquaNor 2009, an aquaculture science and technology transfer and trade mission to Norway.
New Brunswick
Cooke Aquaculture (Black’s Harbour) GMG Fish Services (Black’s Harbour) Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd. (Grand Manan) RDI Strategies (Fredericton) Simcorp Marine Environmental Inc. (St. Stephen) Sweeney International Management Corp. (St. Stephen) True North Salmon (Black’s Harbour)
Nova Scotia
Waycobah Fisheries and Natural Resources (Waycobah First Nation)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Cold Ocean Salmon Ltd. (St. Alban’s and Harbour Breton) Long Island Resources (St. Alban’s) Northern Harvest Sea Farms (St. Alban’s)
Prince Edward Island
Atlantech (Charlottetown)
Industry Delegates
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (Ottawa, ON) New Brunswick Salmon Growers Association (Letang, NB) Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (St. John’s, Newfoundland)