Academia and Industry Working Together in Aquaculture...
Focus: The session focussed on several of the challenges currently facing the Atlantic
aquaculture industry in achieving competitive advantage, as well as potential
opportunities and partnerships which would capitalize on the region's strengths to
enhance aquaculture growth in future.
Partner: Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island in
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Location: Atlantic Veterinary College
Date: June 25, 1996
Co-Chairs: Dr. Jim Bellamy, Associate Dean at AVC, and Martin Abrams of ACOA.
Comments:
Participants included thirty stakeholders from industry, public and private institutions and
academia. Private sector participation included a broad representation of the finfish and
shellfish industries from all Atlantic provinces. Academic and research institutions were
similarly well represented. Provincial Deputy Ministers and officials from DFO
participated and ACOA's regional offices were represented by observers. A discussion
paper was circulated in advance of the roundtable providing participants the opportunity
to prioritize the most significant issues for discussion.
Issues Summary:
- There was consensus that the level of R&D; is low in the region and that this is a crucial
problem limiting development in the industry.
- There is perceived to be a mismatch between scientists' and researchers' work focus
versus the needs and problems of the industry in Atlantic Canada, leading to a
recommendation that research institutions orient more of their work to the needs of
industry in this region.
- There was considerable discussion on how to link the industry's needs to the academic
reward structure with the "chair" system used at UNB being proposed as a model
mechanism to direct research to industry priorities and channel industry contributions to
fund research.
- Funding for R&D; by small firms was seen as a challenging issue. There was a discussion
of mechanisms such as a checkoff system based on feed purchases or on sales of product
as a means to build a fund for high priority aquaculture research.
- There is a strong and varied aquaculture research capability in Atlantic Canada; however,
there is a problem of duplication and fragmentation. It was suggested that there is a need
for dialogue and for models of collaboration between institutions.
- While recognizing that the industry is organizing primarily along provincial lines, it was
suggested that a broader mechanism for coordination is needed, specifically to allow the
industry to benefit from the collective capability of the region's institutions.
- The regulatory process applied to aquaculture in Atlantic Canada is seen by industry as
an obstacle to moving forward. Industry requested that a study be undertaken to look at
the constraints to development in the industry with emphasis on the regulatory
framework
- Industry spokespersons expressed the view that the traditional DFO mandate for
protection of the marine environment and stocks overshadows the department's approach
to aquaculture. It was asserted that the economic return to investment in aquaculture is
now far higher than that from the traditional fishery and that a re-balancing of
government's approach is required. DFO contended that they are moving in this
direction but point out that a balance with traditional fishery requirements must be
maintained.
- There is a need to look at new species which have potential for aquaculture in Atlantic
Canada, and development of a more strategic long-term approach to moving ahead on
these species [e.g., halibut, arctic char, cod, etc]. This is not intended to endorse a
"picking winners" approach but rather responds to the need for a game plan that
addresses the barriers to developing these high potential species.
The views expressed reflect the comments and opinions of Roundtable participants and do not
necessarily reflect those of ACOA or the Government of Canada.
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