Aquaculture associations sign landmark deal
June 6, 2018
By
Liza Mayer
The World Aquaculture Society (WAS), Aquaculture Association of Canada (AAC) and Newfoundland & Labrador Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA) have signed an historic deal to co-host WAS North America in 2020.
(L - R) Back row: Betty House St John’s, a city on Newfoundland island off Canada’s Atlantic coast, will host delegates to the event from August 30 – September 2, 2020 at the St John’s Convention Centre.
Dubbed as the “largest aquaculture focused conference in Canadian history,” the 2020 event also marks the first collaborative meeting between AAC and WAS in many years.
John Cooksey, executive director, WAS, said the agreement was a culmination of many years of effort to have a joint meeting in Canada. “We look forward to the world aquaculture community focusing on Canadian Aquaculture innovation. Mark your calendars now,” he said.
Stefanie Colombo, outgoing president, AAC, is confident the partnership will yield a productive and inspiring meeting. “We look forward to welcoming the global aquaculture community to our country,” she said.
St John’s, the oldest city in North America, is seen as an ideal location for the meeting because of the fast-growing aquaculture community in the province and its status as a world-class tourist destination.
“To have Newfoundland and Labrador recognized for its potential as an aquaculture growth area globally is a milestone that we are proud of,” said Mark Lane, executive director, NAIA. “We look forward to sharing our success stories as an industry and our beautiful province as a world-class tourist destination with aquaculture enthusiasts spanning all areas of the globe in 2020.”
The three associations signed the deal at the conclusion of Aquaculture Canada 2018 held in Quebec from May 27-30.
