Whether it is in the classroom, playing field, or corporate environment, earning a reputation for excellence is achieved by only a select few; it is also not something achieved overnight — it is the culmination of tremendous amounts of commitment, creativity, and collaboration.

As members of this Honourable House are aware, Newfoundland and Labrador is home to a cluster of companies and organizations that have risen to the top of the global ocean technology sector.

Awareness of the local ocean technology sector does not end there.

Newfoundland and Labrador's expertise in ocean technology has been labeled a "hot commodity" and "standing tall as an international epicenter of marine technology" by Marine Technology Reporter, an American trade publication.　

That's a powerful endorsement.

Recognizing what it takes to maintain its leadership position, the Provincial Government, in collaboration with educational institutions and industry, continues to target activities to strengthen its competitiveness.

Oceans of Opportunity — a five year, $28 million strategy — was introduced and serves as the guiding platform as industry and the Provincial Government work collaboratively to reach new heights.

OceansAdvance, the association representing the local sector, views the strategy as being instrumental in continuing the momentum experienced in the province's ocean technology sector; and that it signals a shared vision and affirms confidence in the future of a new economic pillar for the province.　

Over the last year, valuable investments have been made, partnerships have been formed to advance ocean observation projects, and opportunities secured to market the local sector to international audiences.

One such initiative is the SmartBay project which is a joint effort of the Marine Institute, AMEC Earth and Environmental, ICAN, and Earth Information Technologies.　 SmartBay represents the creativity of the industry and is dedicated to monitoring ocean conditions and protecting the ecosystem of Placentia Bay — a bay that has approximately $7 billion in products transported in and out of it annually.

Newfoundland and Labrador will also be hosting two major conferences that celebrate our excellence in oceans.

In October, more than 200 delegates will travel to the province for the Ocean Innovation 2010 that will focus on underwater vehicles. We have also been named site of Oceans 2014, an international conference that attracts upwards of 2,000 delegates.

Both initiatives capture the interest that exists in the province and provide the platform to showcase our business communities and high-calibre research facilities.

The momentum is building.　 With high-levels of commitment, creativity, and collaboration, greater activity and more announcements will be unfolding in the days, months, and years to come.