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Canada's Oceans Action Plan

For Present and Future Generations

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Ocean Science and Technology

Canadian firms have established themselves as world leaders in oceans technology niches. To fully employ Canadian ingenuity and to secure markets, which will allow this industry to prosper, the Government needs to provide a supportive environment for the development and commercialization of oceans technology. There is a tremendous opportunity to turn the government’s need for technology solutions that arise from the other three pillars of the Oceans Action Plan into business and commercial opportunities, especially for coastal communities.

The Marine and Ocean Industry Technology Roadmap provides a vision for development of technologies that will help address growing demands and achieve Canada's potential as an ocean technology innovator. The Roadmap outlines actions to develop technology and emphasizes sustainability. The ocean technology industry comprises many small and medium-sized firms as well as regionally-based research and development organizations. The marketplace is moving toward integrated technology-based solutions, and Canadian firms will need partnerships with each other to increase their capacity to respond.

There is a need to network with coastal communities to achieve economic development, ensure economy of scale for small-to-medium size firms, and capitalize on the current market. Ocean science and technology networks and organizations, as well as Research Council institutions, government labs, and consortia of private firms are emerging as focal points for information-sharing, and innovation.

Development and demonstration are critical to research and development and commercialization. Working relationships with firms and research institutes are needed to establish needs, define applications and demonstrate new technologies. The government, as a main user and purchaser of oceans technologies, can also foster and support the commercialization of new technologies. The Oceans Action Plan supports the development and implementation of a technology demonstration platform to facilitate wireless transmission of key oceanographic information for integrated management and for modeling systems.

The regional economic development agencies – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Western Economic Diversification, and Canada Economic Development for Quebec, as well as Industry Canada, the National Research Council, granting councils, and other technology development programs can also support the Oceans Action Plan and facilitate the development of the oceans industry sector.

The Industry Portfolio has been actively working to encourage small and medium sized business innovation. With increased focus and coordination, more can be done to position Canadian companies to create next generation technologies aimed at an expanding international oceans market.

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