|
Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone. It’s a great pleasure to be here with you today.
I’d also like to thank Minister Ludvigsen for inviting this delegation. And I’d like to thank the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association who — with the assistance of DFO, the Province of British Columbia and the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association — have done a stellar job of developing a well-rounded and interesting program.
Most of all, I’d like to thank you for your attendance — and for your interest in aquaculture.
Many Canadians — myself included — see this industry as a real opportunity.
An opportunity to use cutting-edge technology to build on Canada’s proud fishing heritage.
And an opportunity to bring jobs and economic opportunities to coastal and rural communities.
Aboriginal Canadians have a long, proud history living with our oceans and fresh water resources. It’s a pleasure to see leaders such as you exploring this vibrant opportunity.
That’s why I commend Minister Ludvigsen for inviting you here this week.
It’s an excellent chance to see first-hand what this industry is all about. To learn about the great lengths this industry goes to in order to assure customers that aquaculture products are safe, nutritious and environmentally sustainable. And to learn why so many people around the world have confidence in this industry.
Here at Aqua Nor, we’re joined by an impressive cross-section of aquaculturalists from around the world — businessmen, government officials, experts and scientists — who believe in this industry. They’re working tirelessly to ensure that our aquaculture products are of the highest-possible quality.
For many of you, it’s also an opportunity for you to see how this industry could benefit your own communities.
Canada’s aquaculture industry is among the best in the world. The benefits to our rural and coastal communities are real.
I’m happy to see that the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association is represented at this meeting, because this industry holds immense potential for your communities. I know some of you have already made progress on developing aquaculture industries and are finding success with finfish, shellfish and aquatic plant operations.
I look forward to hearing from Richard Harry (Executive Director of the AAA) about some of these operations, as well as the AAA’s objectives for Aqua Nor, and its plan to develop a sustainable aquaculture industry through my department’s AAROM program.
So without further ado, I’d like to turn the floor over to Richard Harry.
[RICHARD HARRY SPEAKS]
[DELEGATES SPEAK]
Thank you very much.
As you know, there are a number of federal programs to help Aboriginal communities make the most of opportunities like aquaculture. My department’s AAROM program is one such example. As we’ve seen today, it’s an excellent opportunity for your communities to take full advantage of the wealth of Canadian expertise in fisheries and oceans management — including aquaculture.
To this end, I’m very encouraged by the involvement of the AAA in the AAROM program to build sustainable aquaculture industries on both the east and west coasts of Canada. And I’m pleased to have heard your perspectives first-hand.
I hope that this meeting — and your entire visit to Aqua Nor — helps you find more ways to benefit from aquaculture, and contribute to this industry’s success in the years to come.
Once again, on behalf of the Government of Canada, thank you for attending.
|
