The Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, along with representatives from the province�s ocean technology cluster are traveling to Southern California to market their products and advance key business relationships. The Provincial Government is contributing $34,680 to the trade mission, which is being co-ordinated by the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI), in partnership with OceansAdvance.

"There are tremendous opportunities and potential for the province�s ocean technology sector. Our local sector is characterized by world-class research and product development � the San Diego area represents the opportunity for the representatives from the sector to leverage their strengths and grow their capacity in a key market," said Minister Taylor. "To date, our focus has been primarily on the New England and European markets. However, as these relationships mature we are now focusing on another large market for ocean technology."

The mission, which extends from April 6-11, expands on the June 2007 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between OceansAdvance and San Diego-based Center for Maritime Systems & Security (CfMSS). The delegation will be presenting to a distinguished audience consisting of ocean technology companies, the research community for ocean technology and maritime security, government, and United States prime contractors involved in Homeland Security.

"The San Diego area is a well-established hub for ocean technology companies in the U.S. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Navy�s Pacific Fleet � the world�s largest Navy � and home to the internationally-recognized Scripps Institution of Oceanography," said Paul Dube, Executive Director of NATI. "This market offers considerable potential for our local industry. While the U.S. defense industry can be difficult to penetrate, the MOU with CfMSS and its interest in our companies and institutions bodes well for the sector. This direct and focused approach is integral to NATI�s ability to facilitate successful export missions."

The mission will focus on a business-to-business program of pre-arranged meetings with San Diego area firms. A one-day site visit to the Center for Scientific Investigation and Superior Education (CICESE) in Ensenada, Mexico, is also scheduled.

"The Provincial Government is committed to supporting business development initiatives that increase the competitiveness of local industries and organizations," said Minister Taylor. "I am confident that this will be achieved on this trade mission and that participants will target new opportunities and solidify valued relationships."

NATI represents the province�s technology industry and is committed to accelerating the business of technology. It is actively demonstrating the positive linkage between its policy initiatives and business results in the province�s advanced technology sector.

OceansAdvance is a multi-stakeholder, regional technology cluster initiative aimed at positioning St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, as an international centre for ocean technology.

C-CORE, located on Memorial University campus, was formed in 1975 to address ocean engineering problems relating to ice and remote sensing. It now employs more than 60 people and works in four core areas: Geotechnical Engineering, Ice Engineering, Remote Sensing and Intelligent Sensors.

Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University (MI) has a strong connection to the local ocean technology industry and has been instrumental in assisting in the development of a number of private sector enterprises. MI regularly partners with Newfoundland and Labrador companies on applied research, technology demonstration and training projects.

Virtual Marine Technology (VMT) is improving the safety of life at sea by providing realistic, effective and safe training tools for small craft operations. Its simulators allow crew of small marine craft to train for real-life situations in environments that are often too dangerous and costly for live boat exercises.

Rutter Inc. has three lines of business: Products, Manufacturing and Engineering Services. Their products lines include: voyage data recorders, marine-certified electronic interfaces, high-resolution radar processing and recording technology, a line of marine safety lights, high-fidelity audio cards and high-resolution video recording cards.

Q5 Systems sells to companies across a number of industries where health and safety standards are crucial to a company�s bottom line. Its software is applicable to virtually everyone � construction, mining, insurance, air travel, food services, universities, even national parks are all customers.

GRI Simulation Inc. provides ocean mapping services for domestic and international customers using the DOLPHIN semi-submersible Remotely Operated platform. GRI focuses on supporting sub-sea Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations by providing simulation technology to enhance ROV pilot training, mission planning and rehearsal for offshore oil construction and production operations, and Military SAR and Mine-Countermeasures activities.

NavSim Technology Inc. develops innovative marine navigation integrated systems that merge top-level computation, visualization and communication technologies. NavSim products enable safer, more accurate and easier boat handling at any speed and under any weather and traffic conditions. The Artificial Intelligence technology allows for an innovative, seamless customization of the system for a particular boat.

Marport is a pioneering developer of Software Defined Sonar technology (SDS) � an adaptive, future-proof solution for underwater sensing and communications. Marport designs and manufactures advanced SDS solutions for subsea resource exploration and utilization in commercial fisheries, offshore energy, science and military markets.

ICAN develops and integrates sophisticated electronic charting, display, and communication systems. Navies, coast guards, hydrographic offices, ocean scientists, and professional mariners of all types utilize ICAN's Aldebaran and Regulus electronic chart systems and related modules.

Compusult Limited develops scientific applications to support environmental data acquisition and management. Compusult's complete solutions also include many advanced workplace adaptation products incorporating assistive technology specifically designed for the visually impaired and for systems monitoring. In addition, Compusult provides computer consulting, programming and integration services to government, business, technical and scientific sectors.

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