Aquaculture Association of Canada elects president from Newfoundland and Labrador

Chris Hendry, a marine finfish aquaculturist with the provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in Grand Falls-Windsor, has been elected the new president of the Aquaculture Association of Canada.

Mr. Hendry was elected during the Aquaculture Canada conference and trade show held in St. John�s last week. He takes over the presidency from Thierry Chopin, a marine biology professor at the University of New Brunswick. The term is for one year.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Trevor Taylor today congratulated Mr. Hendry on his commitment to aquaculture and the development of the industry across the country.

"His experience as president of the national association will be a great asset to the department as he continues his work with the local industry," Minister Taylor said. "We know he will make a significant contribution to the association and to ensuring the issues facing the industry in all parts of the country are brought forward and heard on a national level. We are particularly pleased at this crucial time in the development of our provincial aquaculture industry that someone who understands the issues on the east coast is in a prominent position with the national association."

Mr. Hendry has served the Aquaculture Association of Canada in many capacities over the years, including as a director, secretary and vice-president. A native of St. John's, he completed a bachelor of science (honours) in marine biology at Memorial University, followed by an advanced diploma in aquaculture from the Marine Institute. He did graduate studies in halibut aquaculture at the University of New Brunswick, receiving a masters (science) in 2000. He started with the provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2001.

The Aquaculture Association of Canada fosters an aquaculture industry in Canada through information exchange, workshops, conferences and trade shows and encouraging support of education, research, and development.

Minister Taylor said it�s a good time in the development of the provincial aquaculture industry to have someone with an intimate knowledge of the issues here fighting for aquaculture development on a national level.

For more information on the Aquaculture Association of Canada, log on to www.aquacultureassociation.ca

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733, 690-6157

2005 07 13                  10:20 a.m.