Canada at Aqua Nor 2005

August, 2005

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Canada is the feature country at Aqua Nor 2005, the world's largest international aquaculture tradeshow. More than 100 Canadian delegates are attending this biennial event. The delegation includes representatives from federal and provincial government departments and ministries, First Nations, academic institutions, and industry.

In collaboration with its partners, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will showcase Canada's achievements in sustainable aquaculture at the Canadian Pavilion and through the participation of the Canadian delegation at all Aqua Nor events. This partnership includes:

• Aboriginal Aquaculture Association;
• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency;
• Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada;
• Aqua Net;
• British Columbia's Ministry of Agriculture and Lands;
• Canadian Embassy in Norway;
• Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries;
• New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture;
• Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture;
• Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association; and
• BC Salmon Farmers Association.

Aqua Nor Trade Show - Canadian Pavilion

The Canadian Pavilion will include 12 exhibitors featuring "state of the science" expertise, technologies and aquaculture practices. In addition to the partners listed above, the Pavilion will included representatives from the National Research Council - Institute for Marine Biosciences, Invest Quebec, PerOs Systems Technologies Inc., Syndel Laboratories Ltd., and Genome British Columbia. Exhibitor profiles are available on the Embassy's Aqua Nor website at http://canada.no/aquanor .

Among the products that DFO will distribute at its booth are two new brochures entitled, "Canada: A Leader in Sustainable Development" and "Canadian Aquaculture Industry -2003-2004". These products feature current aquaculture activities in Canada, and provide the latest aquaculture production and export statistics.

International Round Table on Cold Water Aquaculture

Canada and Norway are co-hosting a full-day round table discussion for senior officials from six nations to discuss practical, coordinated ways to address public concerns regarding aquaculture. This initiative builds on a public confidence effort led by Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Svein Ludvigsen, in June 2004.

Participating countries are all significant aquaculture nations: Canada, the United States, Norway, Chile, Scotland and Ireland. They have been working together to find practical, coordinated actions to support public confidence in cultured fish and seafood, particularly salmon.

Sound science is the basis of public confidence. In support of the round table on cold water aquaculture, a science workshop will be held one day before to focus on recent developments on contaminant reduction in feed.

Science and Technology Seminars

Six "state of the science" seminars will also be held during the Aqua Nor event. Focusing on priority areas for Canadian aquaculture science, these seminars will feature expertise from government, industry, First Nations, and the scientific community.

The seminars will cover: fish health; scientific partnerships; alternate feeds; fish genomics; marine finfish hatcheries; and, environmental technologies. They will be an opportunity for Canada to highlight its aquaculture expertise and for all participating scientists to learn about the exciting and emerging scientific research, including practical applications to sustainable aquaculture management. This information exchange and emphasis on research partnerships will help Canada stay on the leading edge of sustainable aquaculture.

Canada's First Nations Delegates

In addition to the six science seminars, there will also be one session featuring traditional Aboriginal aquaculture practices. Participants in this session will have an opportunity to learn from the traditional ecological knowledge of Canada's First Nations.

Minister Ludvigsen invited a delegation of Canadian First Nations people to attend Aqua Nor '05. Twenty-two First Nations delegates are included in Canada's delegation.

In partnership with the Province of British Columbia, the British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association, and the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association, DFO has developed a detailed program for Canada's First Nations delegates following Aqua Nor. Two tours will provide these delegates with the opportunity to visit many production and research facilities, as well as to meet various representatives living in coastal communities involved in both the aquaculture and commercial fishing industries.

B-HQ-05-70E(a)