Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
June 5, 2009
Strategy to Advance Canada�s Most Vibrant
Ocean Technology Sector Released
Leveraging Newfoundland and Labrador�s natural
strengths and position as a leader in developing ocean-related
technologies in the emerging blue economy is central in the continued
economic advancement of the province.
The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation,
Trade and Rural Development, today released Oceans of Opportunity:
Newfoundland and Labrador�s Ocean Technology Strategy, a five-year,
$28 million strategy designed to capitalize on opportunities and expand
the local ocean technology sector.
"For more than 500 years the ocean has been at the
cultural and economic heart of the province," said Minister Skinner.
"This prominence has led Newfoundland and Labrador to emerge as Canada�s
most vibrant ocean technology community and a significant player in the
global blue economy. Through the implementation of Oceans of
Opportunity the Provincial Government will work with the local ocean
technology community, which is characterized by an entrepreneurial and
innovative spirit, to advance the industry and create new opportunities
for the people of the province."
Oceans of Opportunity
is designed to accelerate sector development, along with enhancing the
province�s environment for business and technology development within
the industry. Through its implementation, the province will be strongly
positioned to identify new opportunities in ocean technology and expand
relationships with local, national and international partners.
"The Oceans of Opportunity strategy is clearly
a step in the right direction for our province as we move toward
becoming a global leader in the oceans and marine sectors," said Glenn
Blackwood, Executive Director, Fisheries and Marine Institute of
Memorial University of Newfoundland. "This strategy allows the sector to
continue its growth and builds upon the past investment in Marine
Institute�s School of Ocean Technology by the Department of Innovation,
Trade and Rural Development. As Memorial University�s portal to the
ocean, Marine Institute has a proud tradition of working closely with
the oceans and marine industry in both technology transfer and applied
research. We also take great pride in the fact Marine Institute�s
graduates have the talent and leadership necessary to help foster
development in this industry and it is encouraging to see the Provincial
Government put forward a plan to allow us to work with our industry
partners to grow this sector, thus ensuring our graduates have the
opportunity to put their skills to good use, both close to home and
abroad."
Led by OceansAdvance, a technology cluster initiative
aimed at positioning the province as an international centre for ocean
technology, the local ocean technology sector
consists of a cluster of more than 50 world-class institutions,
companies, and industry organizations with a common goal of growing the
industry�s value to $1 billion with more than 6,600 employees by 2015 �
an increase of 600 per cent from today. The sector has also been
characterized by the formation of mutually-beneficial partnerships that
enable local organizations to target new markets and explore new
opportunities.
"This strategy strongly reflects the direction identified
by the ocean technology cluster to grow research and development options
and increase commercial opportunities in this sector," said Gary Dinn,
President of OceansAdvance and Vice President of Technology Development
for PanGeo Subsea. "With such an unprecedented alignment of government,
academia and industry, increased support is now available to build on
the developments in the areas of acoustics, unmanned vehicles,
navigation and shipboard technologies, simulation, and ocean observation
that local companies have championed for a number of years."
The 2006 Innovation Strategy: A Blueprint for
Prosperity identified the ocean technology sector as a key growth
area for the province. Oceans of Opportunity is an extension of
the overarching innovation strategy that outlines the Provincial
Government�s commitment to advancing knowledge-based industries
throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Kimberley Thornhill
Marketing and
Business Development
Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial
University of Newfoundland
709-778-0544
kim.thornhill@mi.mun.ca |
Les O�Reilly
Executive Director
OceansAdvance Inc.
709-738-7069
leslie.oreilly@oceansadvance.net |
|
BACKGROUNDER
Highlights of
Oceans of Opportunity:
Newfoundland and
Labrador�s Ocean Technology Strategy
Ocean Technology Development Fund
The strategy includes support mechanisms to private
enterprises and not-for-profit organizations through an Ocean Technology
Development Fund (OTDF). Over the five years, $15 million is allocated
to the following:
OceanTech Smart Growth which is designed to
support private sector enterprises advance projects that focus
on ocean intelligence, ocean observation, vessel operations, and
ocean energy. Investments will be a maximum of 75 per cent of
total project costs or $500,000.
OceanTech Intelligence which is directed to
support post-secondary institutions and industry associations
engage in activities focused on growing the ocean technology
sector. Investments are a maximum of 80 per cent of total
eligible project costs or $250,000.
International Marketing Assistance
To best identify opportunities in international
markets, Oceans of Opportunity allocates $1.5 million over five
years to conduct detailed market analysis and entry strategies.
Additionally, $200,000 per year has been allocated
through OceanTech Global for local businesses and organizations to
target new partnership and business development opportunities in key
export markets.
The Polaris Program
A key component of Oceans of Opportunity is the
Polaris Program � an initiative designed to develop an industrial and
institutional capability and expertise in leading-edge technologies that
monitor and predict ocean and atmospheric conditions.
To further advance this initiative, the Provincial
Government is budgeted $5 million over three years. The implementation
of the Polaris Program will be through a series of calls for competitive
proposals for which industry proponents will be required to supply key
elements of the required information and technology.
Business Incubation
To assist in the growth and development of new
ventures, $5 million over the life of the strategy will enable the
Provincial Government to partner with key stakeholders to deliver
mentoring services and access to research facilities.
Northwest Atlantic Ocean Observation System
Partnership
To foster increased levels of ocean observation
activities, $500,000 is allocated for the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Observation System Partnership (NAOOSP). The NAOOSP is currently a
working group and allocated funding is intended to provide resources to
facilitate the partnership and establish a plan for a large scale ocean
observing system.
2009 06 05 10:15 a.m. |
