Minister declares July 4-10 Aquaculture Week

Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Trevor Taylor signed a proclamation today during the opening of the Aquaculture Canada Conference 2005 in St. John�s declaring July 4-10 Aquaculture Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"In recognition of the major events of national and international significance taking place in the province this week around aquaculture development, as a province we want to show our commitment to the continued development and investment in our growing aquaculture industry," Minister Taylor said. "We are the last remaining area in Eastern Canada with quality, accessible aquaculture sites to develop. We want industry and potential investors to be aware of the opportunities that exist in this province for aquaculture development and our belief as a province in this industry."

The provincial Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is a co-sponsor of the Aquaculture Canada 2005 conference and trade show with its industry partners, the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association and the Aquaculture Association of Canada. It is expected to draw hundreds of delegates from all sectors of aquaculture and associated industries to St. John�s.

The proclamation acknowledges aquaculture as a growth industry in the province, as well as recognizes the international forums on cod and mussel aquaculture development being held in St. John�s as part of the conference and trade show.

The Aquaculture Canada conference and trade show is an international forum on business, science and technology. As co-host, the province has contributed $30,000 to the event and provincial employees of the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture are key participants. The conference ends Wednesday.

Minister Taylor will deliver the banquet address Tuesday evening at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre at 7 p.m.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-4860 690-6157

Photo #1 - During the opening of the Aquaculture Canada 2005 conference and trade show in St. John's Monday, Fisheries Minister Trevor Taylor (seated, right) proclaimed July 4-10 Aquaculture Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. He is joined at the table by Larry Murray, deputy minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and (from back left-right) by Mike Rose, executive director of the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industries Association, and Thierry Chopin, president of the Aquaculture Association of Canada.

2005 07 04                                           12:15 p.m.