Two Nova Scotia universities are capitalising on their strengths with innovative ideas that are benefiting widely different audiences. Dalhousie University is incorporating new technologies into the aquaculture site assessment process, and the St. FX Enterprise Development Centre is offering an international business training course in Halifax to local musicians and bands, including East Coast Music Awards (ECMA) artists. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is supporting them both, with a combined investment of $141,753. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is making an “in kind” contribution of $444,000.

“These projects represent the kind of innovative thinking that we need to create new opportunities in Atlantic Canada,” said the Honourable Geoff Regan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister Responsible for Nova Scotia, speaking on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of ACOA. “Here we see nationally recognized universities bringing their expertise to bear on research, technology, and international trade - all priorities for the Government of Canada.”

Dalhousie’s Oceanography Department is gathering data to be used in aquaculture site planning, environmental assessments, and coastal zone planning in Guysborough County. The department will work in close partnership with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), the provincial Department of Fisheries and Agriculture (NSDFA), and AquaNet, Canada’s aquaculture research network, to take a broader ecosystem-oriented view of the aquaculture environmental assessment system than previous models. Specifically, the study will make greater use of Global Information System (GIS) data and mapping software, which will enable researchers to better interpret the data. ACOA and AquaNet are each investing $131,673 in this project, while DFO and NSDFA are providing in-kind support.

“AquaNet has been successful in attracting world class scientists and becoming a driving and integrative force for aquaculture research in Canada,” stated Dr. R. Scott McKinley, AquaNet’s Executive Scientific Director. “This project helps improve the aquaculture site assessment process and reflects the Network’s emphasis on collaborative research that fosters innovation, effective risk management and the need for social acceptance and economic viability from the planning stage.“ The St. FX Enterprise Development Centre started delivering the St. FX International Business of Music course in Halifax in March 2005. The course is targeting professional musicians, some of whom were showcased in February’s ECMAs in Sydney, with the goal of preparing them to recognize and participate in export market opportunities that could be created by their increased profiles. The course is being presented by industry insiders and is designed to be accessible and helpful to artists at all levels of the music business. ACOA is investing $10,080 in the course.

For broadcast use:

ACOA is supporting two innovative projects being undertaken at Nova Scotia Universities. Dalhousie University is partnering with federal and provincial fisheries departments and Aquanet to improve aquaculture site assessments in Guysborough County, and St. FX is offering an International Business of Music course to music artists including some who appeared in February’s ECMAs, helping them prepare to participate in export opportunities for their music.

Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan called the projects “the kind of innovative thinking that we need to create new opportunities in Atlantic Canada,” adding that innovation is a priority of the Government of Canada. ACOA is investing a total of $141,753 in the projects.

Valérie Poulin 						
Director of Communications 				
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire 		
Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency 	
(613) 941-7241

David Harrigan
Media Relations Officer
ACOA (Nova Scotia)
(902) 426-4238

Dr. Uschi Koebberling 					
Communications Manager 					
Aquanet, UBC Centre for Aquaculture and the Environment  
(604) 666-4452 	
						
Dr. Jon Grant
Professor of Oceanography 
Dalhousie University
(902) 494-2021

Tiiu Poder
Executive Director
St. FX Enterprise Development Centre
(902) 867-2211