Opportunities for Youth in Marine Sciences Key Focus
of Youth and Oceans Conference Series

Youth throughout the province are coming together to learn about opportunities related to the province's oceans and tools to overcome challenges involved with marine sustainability. The Provincial Government will provide $14,000 to the Fisheries and Marine Institute (MI) of Memorial University for Ocean Net's Youth and Oceans Conference Series, with a total estimated cost of $62,500. Youth will take in two days of presentations by local experts, breakout sessions and hands-on activities.

"Conferences like these are important for the province's youth," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. "This conference series is about opening new doors for youth by providing opportunities for them to learn about Newfoundland and Labrador's marine environment. It will inform youth across the province on the opportunities that are available to them in areas such as fisheries research, oceanography and the marine sciences."

Seven host regions have been identified for the 2010-11 conference series. The regions are the Avalon Peninsula (St. John's), Bonavista Peninsula (Bonavista), Burin Peninsula (Burin), Southwest Coast (Burgeo), West Coast (Corner Brook), Northern Peninsula (St. Anthony) and Labrador (Makkovik).

"The next generation must be aware of the opportunities that are available to them if we are to continue growing and developing a modern fishing industry," said Minister Jackman. "Therefore, it is important that this conference will take place in various locations throughout the province and enable interested youth to participate."

This year, the Provincial Government engaged in a coastal and oceans consultations process. Projects such as this conference series were recommended during that process. The conference series also supports the Provincial Government's goal of promoting, encouraging and conserving the sustainability of the province's marine environment.

"The Marine Institute is very pleased the Provincial Government continues to support MI Ocean Net and its efforts to create awareness about the importance of our oceans and marine environments," said Glenn Blackwood, Executive Director of MI. "I strongly believe that the future success of Newfoundland and Labrador is critically dependent upon two factors: our young people and our ocean. MI Ocean Net will continue to link our young people to our oceans, identifying the enormous opportunities that exist in the marine sectors."

This year's conference will be the Twelfth Annual Youth and Oceans Conference. Topics of focus will include ocean sustainability, ocean-related careers and opportunities for youth innovation and leadership related to oceans. Funding for this project is being provided through the oceans program of the Sustainable Fisheries and Oceans Policy Division.

This Provincial Government investment also complements the Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy. Creating A Province of Choice: A Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador was developed by youth, for youth, in close collaboration with business, labour and community leaders, and is aimed at countering the impacts of out-migration, strengthening the labour market and supporting the economic development of the province.

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2010 11 03                                                   11:10 a.m.