Bio-marine science and technology mission returns from Norway

October 25, 2009
Fredericton, NB - Representatives from five companies and the Coastal Zones Research Institute recently returned from a four-day networking and trade mission to Norway. The mission targeted tours and partnership opportunities with firms and institutions involved in developing new bio-products from the by-products of traditional fisheries and aquaculture industries in Norway. The Norwegian industry produces approximately 12 times the amount of by-products that the New Brunswick industry does, and has been developing by-product opportunities for several years.

The mission took place in several Norwegian locations including Bergen, Austevoll, Trondheim and Hitra, and involved about ten Norwegian companies and institutions. The mission unearthed several opportunities for technology partnerships and new product development.

The mission builds on work currently being undertaken in New Brunswick to bring new value to marine by-products in a multi-organizational project undertaken through ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund, as announced earlier in 2009. Those investments will help researchers to develop new technologies that will allow for the extraction, isolation and characterization of bioactive ingredients from marine waste to create value-added products for aquaculture, natural health product and food markets. The project will also help fish processors extract more value from their catch, and reduce the amount of fish waste generated by current practices.

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. Unlike other biosciences clusters, the assets are spread across the province, with significant activity in southwestern New Brunswick, northeastern New Brunswick, and Moncton. With its relatively large receptor capacity, the New Brunswick marine industry also benefits substantially from investments that have been made in Prince Edward Island. New Brunswick and the Atlantic region, including maritime Québec, have a vibrant marine science and technology cluster.

For more information on related topics, please visit:

http://www.bioatlantech.nb.ca/site/news/item/38
http://www.irzc.umcs.ca/flash_content/Dossier%20PDF/Publications/Shrimp%20Oil-NRelease.pdf
http://www.irzc.umcs.ca/flash_content/Dossier%20PDF/Publications/CP-Ang-Filtration%20tangentielle4

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