SmartBay, a joint initiative of the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University (MI) and industry, is receiving a further $451,000 from the Provincial Government. The investment brings the Provincial Government's total investment in the initiative, which is focused on providing real time data on ocean conditions to marine traffic in Placentia Bay, to more than $1.1 million.

The investment was announced by the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, who was speaking at the Placentia Area Chamber of Commerce's Industrial Showcase in Long Harbour.

"Placentia Bay is Newfoundland and Labrador's industrial heartland," said Minister Skinner. "With this label come challenges and complexities, as well as a host of safety, and regulatory concerns.　 SmartBay helps bridge these concerns by proactively supplying the bay's users with better information that leads to better decision making.　 By having this information readily available, we are helping to create a safer marine environment, which will lead to the continued economic development of Placentia Bay."

Launched in September 2006 as a demonstration project, SmartBay became a fully-operational information service utilizing the technology of its partners — MI, AMEC Earth and Environmental, ICAN, and EIT Ltd. — for improved weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and ship navigation in 2008. With Provincial Government support, the partnership will explore opportunities to ensure SmartBay's long-term sustainability and market the province's ocean observation capability globally.

"SmartBay is a proven service in our province and has the potential to be marketed to international users, clients and stakeholders," said Glenn Blackwood, Executive Director, MI, "The latest investment into SmartBay by the Provincial Government helps the Marine Institute remain ahead of the curve when it comes to applied ocean observation and ensures it will continue to be a leader in the international ocean observing community. I want to thank the Provincial Government for its support of the SmartBay project. We are proud of the fact SmartBay is helping to build the province's capacity in ocean technologies and make Newfoundland and Labrador a trendsetter in oceans industries, applied research and technology development."

As the largest ocean observation project in Eastern Canada, SmartBay is frequently used by the bay's wide range of users, which include large industrial vessels, smaller fishing crafts, and recreational boats that all operate in a harsh weather environment.

"Having the availability of 24-hour "real-time" weather information has increased one-hundred fold the safe transfer of pilots and movement of vessel traffic within Placentia Bay," said Captain Anthony McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer, Atlantic Pilotage Authority.

Captain Andrew Rae, Vice-president of the Canadian Marine Pilots' Association for the Atlantic Region, also supports the continued development of the SmartBay project in Placentia Bay.

"Weather buoys are now the international standard for navigation and safe port operations" said Captain Rae. "We are grateful for the leadership shown by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and MI with the SmartBay project. Marine pilots and other users in Placentia Bay find that the real-time information that SmartBay provides is invaluable and greatly contributes to safe navigation."

Increasing the capacity of ocean observation projects in Newfoundland and Labrador was identified as a key priority in Oceans of Opportunity , the Provincial Government's five year, $28 million strategy focused on accelerating growth of the local ocean technology sector.

"In addition to offering immense benefits to Placentia Bay, SmartBay's progression continues to entrench Newfoundland and Labrador as a leader in ocean observation," said Minister Skinner. "Market demand for proven products that best monitor ocean conditions is growing. As the Provincial Government continues to invest in SmartBay, we are providing a key platform for local companies to demonstrate how their technology is being used in an operational setting."

The project was funded under the OceanTech Intelligence program, which is designed to advance initiatives that are focused on growing the ocean technology sector.

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