From BC to Newfoundland – aquaculture couple move home

Tor-Eddie Fossbakk This husband and wife team were raised and educated in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and are returning home after pursuing successful careers in British Columbia and Hawaii. Damon Woodland holds a Bachelor of Science (Marine Biology) from Memorial University as well as a Graduate Diploma in Aquaculture from the Marine Institute. Damon was recently employed as Vice President, Operations with Kona Blue Water Farms of Kona, Hawaii. Prior to moving to Hawaii, he enjoyed a progressive career with Heritage Salmon in British Columbia where he held the position of Saltwater Production Operations Manager and was responsible for 10 seawater sites and 3 smolt sites. In his new role, Damon will assume responsibility for all of Cooke’s Newfoundland marine production activities. Jennifer Woodland holds a Bachelor of Science (Biology) degree from Memorial University as well as a Graduate Diploma in Aquaculture from the Marine Institute. Jennifer also enjoyed an exciting career with Heritage Salmon in BC, having started working on the farms and eventually assuming the role of Lease and Environmental Manager (First Nations & Government Relations). In her new role, Jennifer will assume responsibility for all of Cold Ocean Salmon’s environmental and regulatory compliance monitoring and reporting. Blake Armstrong, who led Cooke’s move to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2006 and was the driving force behind the establishment of Cooke’s new saltwater operations in Fortune Bay, will take on a new and more focused position as Area Manager for Cooke’s Hermitage Bay and Bay D’Espoir areas. In this new role, Blake will assume responsibility for all of the Company’s salmon and trout sites within that area. Cooke Aquaculture is an Atlantic Canadian family owned company with fully integrated operations that cover all aspects of the salmon farming value chain, from egg to plate. The company currently employs 1400 people with 200 of them working in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Cooke generates $270 million in annual sales and sells a broad spectrum of fresh, farmed seafood products.