The Coast of Bays Hosts
the Central Newfoundland Aquaculture
Forum and Tradeshow

Shellfish - Harbour Breton

The agenda at Harbour Breton began with presentations by Bill Carter of ConAqua Limited (Coast of Bays) and Steve Moyse of the Discovery Regional Economic Development Board in Bonavista Bay.  They spoke of the developments in their respective areas, the challenges faced by the industry and projected developments for the future.  Both presenters stressed the need for nearby secondary processing facilities to ensure a top quality product being used in the preparation of consumer-ready foods.  These facilities will also ensure a use for mussels that do not meet the specifications for the fresh market.

Peter Darnell, Indian Point Marine Farms Limited of Nova Scotia, spoke about the importance of a HACCP Program for all aquaculture operations.  He stressed that, more and more, buyers of aquaculture products in the United States and elsewhere are inquiring of HACCP plans.  The existence of such a plan will be a marketing advantage in the near future as it guarantees that the product has been cared for during the growth stage, harvesting, processing and transport to market - a full meal deal of care.  Peter pointed out that the cost of implementing a HACCP plan is very low and is a sound investment for the future of the business.  For more information about quality control and the HACCP program, visit http://www.shellfishquality.ca .

Cyr Couturier of the Marine Institute gave a presentation about the differences and similarities of the mussel farming industry in New Zealand and Newfoundland.  He stated that the industry in this province is very much still in its infancy compared with that of New Zealand.

Stephen Lanteigne from the Office of the Commissioner for Aquaculture Development was the luncheon speaker.  He said that this Office provides guidance to ensure environmentally sustainable aquaculture developments in the country.  The objectives of the Commission are threefold:

1. To undertake a review of regulatory framework
2. To improve perception of the aquaculture industry, and
3. To work towards cooperation between fishers and aquaculturists.

In the plenary session in the afternoon, Bob O'Neill, Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association, began by saying that in order to have an industry, we must meet the challenges head on.  Science, he said, is important and we have to bridge the gap between science and business. He also posed the question, "Whose  responsibility is it to make the business work?  The entrepreneur?  The government? Bob also stated that the environment is crucial to our industry and therefore aquaculturists should be good custodians of it.

Some of the challenges facing the industry, as identified by the discussions include:

• The Canadian Environmental Assessment process
• The public perception about the industry
• Funding/investment sources
• Licensing/Regulations - dealing with two levels of government
• Site Characteristices - water quality
• Technology change and transfer within the industry
• Water user conflicts
• Retaining skilled workers - the number of persons with aquaculture degrees leaving the province is phenomenal
• Keeping the technology current
• Market development locally and internationally, and
• Shorten the timeframe between developmental to commercial status

Recommendations as brought forward by the plenary session include:

• Seeking more private investment to leverage government investment
• Growers to get better at growing - more grading if supplying the fresh market
• As in Ireland and Europe, we have to start using the larger, deeper bays
• Secondary processing to be initiated to have maximum utilization of the farm products
• Consolidation and alliances are key to the future development of the industry, and
• Farmers have to get fair market price for their product, thereby encouraging development.