FARMING OUR OCEANS: PROUD. INNOVATIVE. RESPONSIBLE

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Newfoundland and Labrador Aquaculture Industry Association’s 29th Annual Cold Harvest Conference and Trade Show

The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association would like to thank everyone who attended our Cold Harvest 2024 Conference and Tradeshow. 

Cold Harvest 2024 which took place in St. John’s, NL October 8 – 10 attracted almost 400 delegates from across Canada and from countries such as, Norway, Taiwan, USA, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Over the three days, almost 80 presenters provided CH24 guests with information on the following topics: Advancements in Finfish Aquaculture, Extensive Aquaculture (Shellfish and Kelps), Service and Supply Innovations, Climate Change and Adaptation for Farmed Seafood, Environmental Performance  Reporting, Human Resources and Community Development, Marine Health and Safety and Strengthening industry’s Social License.

 

 

On day one the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland facilitated a Seaweed Workshop which attracted just over 60 guests. The workshop covered topics such as opportunities in seaweed farming, seaweed farming marketing and economics and technology advancements in areas such as AI and Topo-bathymetry. Upadates were also given on some of the seaweed ventures in Newfoundldand and Labrador, including hatchery and growout results and novel products being produced or under development. The workshop was sponsored by CCFI and MSRDF.

The opening session started day two with welcoming addresses from Chief Brad Benoit of Miawpukek First Nation and His Worship Danny Breen, the Mayor of the City of St. John’s as well as The Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Premier spoke of the tremendous level of support there is for the aquaculture industry within in his government.

 

 

Also on day two our keynote address was provided by Dr. George Chamberlain, President of The Center for Responsible Seafood, who talked about how we can use collaborations to drive innovation and continuous improvement in support of sector sustainability. Another plenary speaker, Dr. Bente Torstensen, CEO of  Nofima, kicked off the panel session  “Dynamic Perspective on Strengthening Your Social License”. The NAIA Annual General Meeting was also held on day two and a new Board of Directors were sworn in.

The Opening Reception at the Sheraton (day one), The Newfoundland Farmed Seafood Soirée at the BellaVista (day two), and the NL Kitchen Party at O’Reillys NL Irish Pub (day three) were also very well attended.

The Cold Harvest Conference and Trade Show began 29 years ago as a way to foster connections and collaborations within the seafood farming sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. It offers our seafood farming companies and service / supply companies an opportunity to get together to learn about new and innovative practices, equipment and research within the aquaculture sector both here in Canada and internationally. Please visit our gallery where you will see some of our many presenters, exhibitors, deligates and special guests as they enjoyed the numerous offerings and attractions at Cold Harvest 2024.

We would like to send special thanks to our sponsors: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Province of Newfoundland & Labrador, Mowi Canada, Truefoam NL (formerly NL Styro), 360 Marine Ltd., Grieg Seafood NL, Cooke Aquaculture, Aqua Marine Services, Pharmaq, Wellfish Tech, Oceans Advance, Enterprises Shippagan Ltd., DSS Protection and Destination St. John’s.

The NAIA staff of Jamie Baker, Darrell Green, Roberta Collier, and Jackie Richards organize the Cold Harvest conference each year with a host of hard-working volunteers.  We sincerely appreciate the support. Special thanks go out to the Program Committee for their continued support and dedication in framing up the program for CH24: Darrell Green – NAIA (Chairperson), Chris Hendry – Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Stephanie Synard McInnis – NL Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Laura Halfyard – Connaigre Fish Farms, Sheldon George – Ocean Trout Canada, Melissa Burke – Ocean Trout Canada, Cyr Couturier – Marine Institute, Jonathan Gagné – Enterprises Shippagan Ltd., Candice Way – LGL Ltd., Aaron Bennett – Mowi, Amy Negrijn – Mowi, Jonathan Kawaja – Mowi, Marilyn Butland – Butland Communications, Stephen Backman – Skretting, David Seeley – Skretting and Chalena Biggar – Cooke Aquaculture.

We look forward to seeing you at Cold Harvest 2025, NAIA’s 30th Anniversary Conference and Trade Show taking place September 23-25 at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John’s NL!