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.