Prince Edward Island will be the focus of attention in the aquaculture industry across Canada this September as the province plays host to Aquaculture Canada 2002.
The PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, in partnership with the PEI Aquaculture Alliance and the Aquaculture Association of Canada, will host the three-day conference and trade show, the largest national annual event of its kind in Canada. More than 500 delegates are expected to attend, contributing more than half a million dollars to the provincial economy.
Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment Chester Gillan; Cyr Couturier, president of the Aquaculture Association of Canada; and Crystal McDonald, executive director of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance, announced preliminary plans for the event at a news conference today. The Aquaculture Canada 2002 meeting and trade show will be held at the Delta Prince Edward in Charlottetown, September 17-20.
"My department has worked in partnership with industry to foster development of the aquaculture industry in Prince Edward Island, and we are delighted to partner with industry to host this important conference," said Minister Gillan.
"As well, we are delighted that the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI will assist us in many aspects of the conference. AVC is a hub of scientific expertise in the aquaculture industry, and we are fortunate that it is right here on our doorstep."
Minister Gillan noted the aquaculture industry plays a vital role in the PEI economy, providing employment to more than 1,500 Islanders in the growing and processing sectors. "Aquaculture Canada 2002 is an opportunity to share our success stories and to learn from experiences in other jurisdictions," he added.
Mr. Couturier said the promotion and discussion of business, technology and science pertinent to the culture of finfish and shellfish has been a key objective of the annual meeting of the Aquaculture Association of Canada (AAC) since its inception in 1984. Aquaculture Canada 2002 will be the 19th annual meeting of the AAC.
A national organization of producers, suppliers, students, scientists, educators and government representatives, the AAC has over 900 members from all parts of Canada, the United States, and 14 other countries.
"The Aquaculture Canada conference is an excellent opportunity for those with a vested interest in the culture of finfish and shellfish to share knowledge, exchange information and ideas, strengthen academic, business, and other ties, and examine issues and opportunities facing the industry," said Mr. Couturier.
The theme for Aquaculture Canada 2002 is "Finding Solutions - Creating Sustainable Wealth." The conference will include technical and special sessions centred on this year's theme, a trade show which is being managed by the PEI Aquaculture Alliance, presentations of numerous awards, and tours of PEI aquaculture operations.
The executive director of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance said the conference theme reflects the Alliance's commitment to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the industry in Prince Edward Island.
"We look forward to showcasing our industry and its successes and, in particular, the quality products that we produce in PEI," Ms. McDonald said. "I am pleased that we will be able to do that not only during the conference itself but also during the PEI International Shellfish Festival which will be held immediately following Aquaculture Canada 2002."
The festival, at Peakes Wharf in Charlottetown, September 20-22, will feature oyster shucking competitions, cooking demonstrations, top Island entertainment, and plenty of quality PEI shellfish to enjoy.
While announcing details of Aquaculture Canada 2002, Minister Gillan, Mr. Couturier and Ms. McDonald also unveiled the conference logo at Monday's news conference. The image has a distinct Island flavour with shellfish and finfish in the foreground and Province House and the Confederation Bridge in the background.
"These are not only two of the most recognizable PEI symbols, they also reflect the conference theme, "Finding Solutions - Creating Sustainable Wealth," said Minister Gillan.
"The Birthplace of Confederation, Province House, is where our forefathers came together to build a prosperous nation, and the construction of the Confederation Bridge represented a new age of opportunities in Prince Edward Island. With these images framed by shellfish and finfish, I believe this is an ideal logo for Aquaculture Canada 2002."
Keynote speakers and other presenters for Aquaculture Canada 2002 will be announced in the coming months. For further information on the September conference, contact the Aquaculture Canada 2002 Secretariat by e-mail at aac@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca or by phone, (506) 529-4766, or visit the conference website at http://www.mi.mun.ca/mi/aac. Islanders interested in learning more about the conference may also call the PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment at (902) 368-5525 or the PEI Aquaculture Alliance at (902) 368-2757.
BACKGROUNDER
The Aquaculture Industry in PEI
In the past decade, the aquaculture industry in Prince Edward Island has grown from a small developmental industry to an industry that is a significant contributor to the provincial economy.
In 1990, aquaculture landings were just under 10 million pounds with a value of $6.5 million. Those figures doubled by 1995. Today, landings exceed 45 million pounds and have a value of nearly $30 million.
Employment in the aquaculture industry has grown dramatically over the same time period with approximately 1,500 Islanders now employed in the growing and processing sectors. As a rural-based industry, aquaculture has created new opportunities for steady, long- term employment in communities across the province.
The most common aquaculture species in Prince Edward Island are mussels and oysters. Fish farmers in the province generated $27.8 million in mollusc sales in 2000, half the national revenue from molluscs. Other species include clams, quahaugs, Arctic char, and rainbow trout.
The Aquaculture Industry in Canada
Aquaculture on a commercial basis first began in Canada in the 1970s and grew rapidly throughout the 1980s. The fastest growing sector in primary food production, aquaculture has become a significant national contributor as a food product supplier, and in economic and employment terms.
Aquaculture activity extends from Newfoundland to British Columbia and to the Yukon in the north. In 2000, the industry generated direct revenues of $674.1 million and indirectly contributed in excess of $1 billion to the national economy.
The predominant species cultured in Canada are Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, mussels, oysters, scallops and clams. Other species include Arctic char, Atlantic cod, sea urchins, quahaugs, halibut, and haddock.
Aquaculture Association of Canada
The Aquaculture Association of Canada (AAC) is a national organization of producers, suppliers, students, scientists, educators and government representatives that is concerned about the promotion of knowledge and exchange of information pertinent to the aquaculture of finfish and shellfish.
Incorporated in 1984, the AAC has over 900 members from all parts of Canada, the United States, and 14 other countries. Memberships are available to individuals, students, institutions, companies, and agencies.
The objectives of the association are:
• to foster an aquaculture industry in Canada, to promote the study of aquaculture and related science in Canada, to gather and disseminate information relating to aquaculture, and to create public awareness and understanding of aquaculture;
• to promote, support, and encourage educational, scientific, and technological development and advancement of aquaculture in Canada;
• to gather and disseminate technical and scientific information on aquaculture development in Canada and throughout the world;
• to conduct seminars for the presentation, exchange, and discussion of information, findings, and experiences on all subjects and techniques related to aquaculture;
• to encourage the teaching of all phases of aquaculture and the training of aquaculture and the training of aquaculturists in accredited colleges and universities in the field of aquaculture; and
• to encourage private industry and government agencies, both provincial and federal, to support education, research and development.
PEI Aquaculture Alliance
The Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance (PEIAA) was formed in January of 1998 with the mandate to provide focus for the PEI aquaculture industry and enhance industry prosperity through its development as an effective world competitor.
Since its formation, the objectives of the PEIAA have been, and continue to be:
• to protect the interests of the growers, processors, packers, and marketers of aquaculture products in Prince Edward Island;
• to promote a cooperative spirit among all engaged in Prince Edward Island's aquaculture industry for their mutual benefit;
• to encourage industry-driven research and development on aquaculture related issues with an emphasis on improving the economics of aquaculture;
• to gather and disseminate information resulting from such research to members of the Alliance; and
• to hold annual and other meetings for the discussion of issues relevant to the industry and to foster the exchange of information between members.
The 180-plus membership of the PEIAA is comprised of the Prince Edward Island Cultured Mussel Growers Association, the Island Oyster Growers Group Inc., the Prince Edward Island Finfish Association, the Island Clam Growers Group, as well as numerous supporters, suppliers, and processors.
Aquaculture Canada 2002
Aquaculture Canada is the annual meeting of the Aquaculture Association of Canada. Aquaculture Canada 2002 will be held September 17-20 in Charlottetown, PEI. The conference will be co-hosted by the Aquaculture Association of Canada, the PEI Aquaculture Alliance, and the PEI Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment.
The theme for Aquaculture Canada 2002 is "Finding Solutions, Creating Sustainable Wealth". A comprehensive technical program will be centered around the theme, special symposia and workshops will highlight achievements and successes by various sectors of the Canadian aquaculture industry, and a trade show and full social program will provide ample opportunity for networking and information exchange.
Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival
A celebration of the quality shellfish produced in Prince Edward Island and the importance of the industry to the provincial economy, the PEI International Shellfish Festival is hosted by the PEI Shellfish Association and the PEI Aquaculture Alliance. Revenues from sales of Island shellfish at the festival assist the two groups in the work they carry out on behalf of the industry year round.
This year's festival will be held immediately following Aquaculture Canada 2002, September 20-22, at Peakes Wharf on the Charlottetown waterfront. Conference delegates will be encouraged to extend their stay in Prince Edward Island and take in some of the many activities at the PEI International Shellfish Festival.
The three-day festival includes the Great Paderno Chowder Challenge, the Polar Foods International Eastern Canadian Oyster Shucking Championships, presentation of the Minister's Shellfish Recognition Awards by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, world class cooking demonstrations, top Island entertainment, touch tanks where experts offer a hands-on look at the Island shellfish industry, and plenty of delicious PEI shellfish to sample.