New lab for Prince Edward Island (PEI)
While things are still up in the air about the future of AquaBounty’s genetically modified salmon, some of the company’s employees have banded together in a new organization, which “is primarily focused on R&D and commercialization activities in cold water aquatic species, with expertise in GxP-compliant research. Areas of interest include development and execution of molecular diagnostic assays, and coordination of breeding and genomics programs, and characterization of new products. CATC will be expanding operations in 2014 as a formal, independent contract research organization for aquaculture and related industries providing services in the areas of genomics, drug approvals, vaccine testing, and evaluation of novel feed ingredients,” according to its parent company’s website.
A recent posting by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) provided more information about the proposed aquaculture research facility that is planned for an abandoned fish plant;
An American company is looking to set up an aquaculture research centre in an abandoned fish plant in Souris. The Centre for Aquaculture Technologies Canada (CATC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Centre for Aquaculture Technologies, which is based in San Diego and which was established in 2012, with focus on the use of advanced technologies to improve aquaculture productivity.The Canadian operation is made up of former employees of AquaBounty, a genetically-modified salmon producer that also has its base in eastern P.E.I. CATC has its eye on the old fish plant in Souris, which shut down three years ago.
The company specializes in services needed to grow the aquaculture sector, says vice president of research Debbie Plouffe, including studies on fish viruses. “Creating new products for fish that promote fish health, fish nutrition, improved genetics for disease resistance or faster growth,” said Plouffe. The project would create up to 15 jobs in the area, said Plouffe, mostly for people with post-secondary education.
Some residents said that's good news for the struggling town, but others are concerned about what effluent might come out of the plant. “I have to see what chemicals are doing what,” said Jim MacDonald, who fished out of Souris Harbour for years. “Yes, I have concerns.” Plouffe said there is no reason to worry about what might come out of the plant. “The facility is designed to prevent escape of any pathogens and any animals,” she said.
Plouffe added while AquaBounty is a client, there are no plans, currently, for the company's genetically-modified salmon to be at CATC's Souris site. If CATC's plans are approved by government, Plouffe said the facility could be open by next summer.
