New Brunswick's BioSciences CommunityDatabase of expertiseCompaniesResearch OrganizationsDevelopment OrganizationsTechnology transfer, allied industry and scientific associations Funding and financing programsBusiness supportOther Canadian bioscience organizationsIntegrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture continues to be the focus of accolades and attention by scientific community, and the public
June 2, 2009St. Andrews, NB - Dr. Thierry Chopin, from the University of New Brunswick in Saint John, and Dr. Shawn Robinson, from Fisheries and Oceans Canada St. Andrews Biological Station, are the recipients of the 2009 Aquaculture Association of Canada Research Award of Excellence for taking the concept of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) from the laboratory to the realm of commercial production.
IMTA pairs the cultivation of finfish and shellfish (which filter organic waste particles) with seaweeds (which absorb dissolved inorganic nutrients) at the same site. These specific combinations take advantage of each species' requirements for food and nutrients at the same site and have shown to lessen the environmental impact of the aquaculture industry as they strive to move towards developing sustainable practices. Reducing the stress on coastal environments through better aquaculture operations has garnered support from agencies like Greenpeace and SeaWeb. Cooke Aquaculture and Acadian Seaplants both have a long history of supporting advancement in science, and this award acknowledges that leadership.
The Research Award of Excellence was recently presented to Drs. Chopin and Robinson in Nanaimo, B.C., during the Aquaculture Association of Canada's annual meeting. The award recognizes high quality, innovative and current research that has had a significant impact on the aquaculture industry in Canada.
Earlier this spring, the IMTA sites hosted the renowned Canadian environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki and his daughter Sarika, during filming of an episode of the Suzuki Diaries for the CBC program The Nature of Things.
A recent study by BioAtlantech and its partners identified a significant marine bio-science cluster in New Brunswick, with economic activity and employment of $74 million, and 440 highly qualified persons, respectively, in 2007. Southwestern New Brunswick alone accounts for nearly $40 million of this total. New Brunswick is the second-largest aquaculture producer in Canada, with sales of value-added products totaling $360 million annually. New Brunswick and the Atlantic region, including maritime Québec, have a vibrant marine science and technology cluster.
For more information on this topic, please visit:
http://www.unb.ca/news/view.cgi?id=1744
http://www.unbsj.ca/sase/biology/chopinlab/articles/files/2009.05.05.Saint%20Croix%20Courier.pdf
http://www.unbsj.ca/sase/biology/chopinlab/
An updated list of articles on this topic is maintained on Dr. Chopin's website:
http://www.unbsj.ca/sase/biology/chopinlab/articles/index.html
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