Burin-based Research and Development to Support Commercial Activity

The Provincial Government is contributing $175,000 to College of the North Atlantic for the development of key infrastructure, which will house nationally-recognized research and development (R&D).

The focus of the R&D could lead to the commercial development of a shore-based aquaculture industry in areas where traditional aquaculture is not an option. It may also support the development of a new renewable energy source.

“The spirit and intent of the Provincial Government’s five year ocean technology strategy – Oceans of Opportunity – is to ensure that the necessary capacity exists to develop the province’s ocean industries,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. “Through our support of College of the North Atlantic’s outcome-focused research we are achieving that objective. This is an exciting endeavour with extensive opportunities for commercial use as it could harness the power of the ocean to develop new energy sources and help spark new aquaculture activity.”

Minister Hutchings announced the funding today in Lord’s Cove. He was joined by the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Grand Bank, Glenn Janes, Chief Executive Officer of the Research & Development Corporation, and officials from College of the North Atlantic.

“Today’s announcement is great news for Lord’s Cove and the Burin Peninsula as we look for new and innovative ways to diversify the economy,” said Minister King. “Both shore-based aquaculture and wave power will provide new economic development opportunities and create new employment in the region.”

With the investment, the College of the North Atlantic will complete renovations to three buildings in Lord’s Cove. The renovated facilities will house the technical equipment and instrumentation that will be used to monitor the wave-powered pump and multi-species shore-based aquaculture research.

“This is an exciting project that establishes the Burin Campus of College of the North Atlantic as a leader in innovative, power generated technology,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education and MHA for Burin-Placentia West. “It is a positive venture for the province and for those who worked to make it happen.”

The investment brings the collective contribution from the Provincial Government and its Research & Development Corporation (RDC) to $671,000. The initiative, which has a project value of more than $3.5 million, is also supported through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council through its College and Community Innovation program.

"RDC continues to be a strong supporter of a number of initiatives currently underway between the faculty and students at the College of the North Atlantic’s Burin Campus and local industry," said Mr. Janes. "Our investments in research projects such as the wave-powered pump that can help build a sustainable aquaculture industry and the testing of materials used for mobile structures in extreme climates highlight the opportunities that exist in rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

By supporting the development of key infrastructure, there are further opportunities to position the area as a hub for ocean technology activity. It ensures that the necessary capacity exists for product testing in a marine environment and creates a venue for students to apply their education.

“The college has always had a strong connection with the communities surrounding our Burin campus, and the development of this one-of-a kind initiative has strengthened those ties even further,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, President of College of the North Atlantic. “Our successes to date have positioned the campus as a developing hub for ocean technology activity, and the financial supports we have received from the Provincial Government throughout this initiative have enabled our researchers to continue exploring the numerous possibilities around ocean wave energy and land-based aquaculture.”

Funding for this initiative was funded through the OceanTech Intelligence program, which is administered by the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development. Budget 2012: People and Prosperity allocates $2.6 million for the implementation of this program that provides assistance to non-profit organizations, industry associations and public sector educational institutions for projects that support the growth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s ocean technology sector.

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2012 05 25             3:50 p.m.