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OTTAWA – Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that he will attend the Aqua Nor aquaculture tradeshow in Norway, August 9-11, 2005, and participate in a bilateral meeting with the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs, Svein Ludvigsen.
"I’m pleased to participate in this pre-eminent industry event," said Minister Regan. "As the featured country of this year’s Aqua Nor, Canada is proud to showcase its leadership in the production of safe, nutritious and environmentally sustainable farmed fish and seafood."
Aqua Nor is the world’s largest international aquaculture tradeshow held biennially in Trondheim, Norway. The Canadian Pavilion at the trade show will include 12 exhibitors representing governments, academic organizations, and industry. The exhibits will feature "state of the science" Canadian expertise, technologies and aquaculture practices.
During the event, six science and technology seminars will be held to discuss fish health, scientific partnerships, alternative feeds, fish genomics, marine finfish hatcheries, and environmental technologies. There will also be a seminar on traditional Aboriginal practices and an international Round Table on Cold Water Aquaculture.
More than 100 Canadian delegates, including 22 First Nations persons and Aboriginal Aquaculture Association representatives, are attending Aqua Nor. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has worked in partnership with other government departments and ministries, academic institutions and industry to participate in all of the seminars and related events.
"Canada has a strong scientific presence at Aqua Nor," said Minister Regan. "The science seminars are an excellent venue for our scientists to exchange information and explore collaborative scientific activities to enable this industry to keep its practices on the leading edge of environmental sustainability."
Over the last 25 years, aquaculture has grown to be a key agri-food industry in Canada. The relatively new industry also occupies a significant position in the seafood production sector. In 2003, cultured fish and seafood production were valued at $586 million, comprising approximately one fifth of all Canadian fisheries production. The industry also provided about 6,000 direct jobs in many rural and coastal communities.
Minister Regan will be available to answers questions from Canadian media regarding his participation in various Aqua Nor meetings and events at the following times:
Tuesday, August 9 – 12:15 p.m. Atlantic/11:15 a.m. Eastern/8:15 a.m. Pacific
Regarding the Minister’s meeting with First Nations delegates and Aboriginal Aquaculture Association representatives.
Wednesday, August 10 – 1:30 p.m. NL/1:00 p.m. Atlantic/12:00 p.m. Eastern
Regarding the Minister’s bilateral meeting with Svein Ludvigen focusing on overfishing and international fishing governance, and aquaculture issues.
Thursday, August 11 – 11 a.m. Atlantic/10 a.m. Eastern/7 a.m. Pacific
Regarding international cooperation on cold water aquaculture and wrap-up of all Aqua Nor activities.
Additional information regarding media call-backs and teleconference numbers will be issued in separate advisories. Official photos of Minister Regan will also be available on the DFO web site at
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/home-accueil_e.htm.
For more information, such as exhibitor profiles and scheduling information, please visit the Canadian Embassy’s Aqua Nor ’05 website at
http://canada.no/aquanor/.
Backgrounder:
Canada at Aqua Nor 2005
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 990-7537
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Sujata Raisinghani
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa
(613) 992-3474 |
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NR-HQ-05-70E |
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