February 25, 2014 - 8:21am
Vancouver Island University (VIU) and GreenTech Exchange are presenting a free panel discussion with experienced aquaculture experts in Nanaimo Feb. 27.
Global pressures to meet increased demand for food, especially fish protein, have put higher pressure on wild fisheries in their quest to supply sustainable fish. Sustainable aquaculture operations have shown promise on Vancouver Island and are attracting attention from other fish farm operators across Canada and around the world.
The topic of the discussion is Innovation and Sustainability in Aquaculture: the Vancouver Island Experience. The discussion is open to the public.
Panelists include:
Myron Roth is an Industry Specialist for Aquaculture and Seafood with the BC Ministry of Agriculture. A 25-year veteran in the aquaculture and pharmaceutical sectors, Roth has extensive experience managing fish health and genetics. He is involved with developing the use of veterinary medicines and vaccines, including licensing the world's first commercially available DNA vaccine. He holds a PhD from the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Scotland, and is a Professional Agrologist.
Brian Kingzett is the Manager of the Deep Bay Marine Field Station completed in 2011 by the Centre for Shellfish Research at VIU. Kingzett is a leading expert in the Canadian shellfish culture industry. Thinking globally and acting locally, Kingzett and colleagues are thinking about the future of seafood as the world approaches a population of nine billion and how we as coastal communities can act locally. Kingzett received a BSc with Honours from the University of Victoria (UVic) and MSc from Simon Fraser University in marine biology.
Linda Hiemstra has worked in aquaculture for over 20 years in research, academia and food production. Since 2011, she has worked for Sable Fish Canada. Hiemstra’s work focuses on business development using her expertise in research, First Nations partnerships, regulatory compliance and production management to build company sustainability and support development of the emerging sablefish culture industry. She has a Masters Certificate in Project Management from UVic and is an internationally certified Project Manager (PMP).
Steve Atkinson is the President of Taste of BC Aquafarms. Atkinson and his wife Janet built a family run, farm sized, land based model aquafarm that will produce about 100 MT of sustainable steelhead salmon per year. The farm features the latest in Recirculating Aquaculture Technology giving it the ability to raise fish with little or no negative environmental impact. With support from both the Federal and Provincial Government and engineered by Nanaimo’s PRAqua, the farm is leading the way to a land based salmon industry.
Ian Roberts is the Communications Manager at Marine Harvest Canada. Roberts has been raising salmon on the coast for 21 years with BC’s leading aquaculture company. In 1998, Roberts worked with the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation to help build their salmon farming business that today produces 5,000 tonnes of farm-raised salmon. Roberts completed the aquaculture program at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Ontario and is currently completing his degree at Royal Roads University.
The free panel discussion takes place at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, 900 Fifth Street, in Building 200 (Student Services), Lecture Room 203. Registration and networking takes place at 5:30 pm with the panel starting at 6 pm.
To register for this free event, please go to www.greentechexchange.ca
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About GreenTech Exchange:
GreenTech Exchange delivers industry relevant forums, networking events, trade missions and market oriented programs to help advance innovation and expertise in the green economy. The company goal is to actively engage investors, professionals, government and agencies with entrepreneurs, emerging companies and commercial enterprises to empower the Cleantech ecosystem.
ABOUT VIU: Vancouver Island University is Canada’s west coast university. Known as a centre of excellence for teaching, learning and applied research, VIU offers a diverse range of certificate, diploma and undergraduate and master degree programs to more than 18,000 students on campuses in Nanaimo, Powell River and Cowichan, and at the Parksville-Qualicum Centre. For more information visit www.viu.ca
MEDIA CONTACT
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University P: 250.740.6288
E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
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