Vancouver Island school gets grant for aquaculture research
Dr. Stephen Cross- a veteran within the aquaculture industry in British Columbia will be spear-heading the new initiative, which is widely supported by industry insiders. A NIC Press Release last week provided more details about its securing of funding for this important initiative;
The grant, which will help North Island College develop new, as well as significantly enhance existing applied research efforts in finfish aquaculture, has been awarded under NSERC’s College and Community Innovation Program. This funding is intended to support applied research leaders and the development of business-focused applied research programs at colleges throughout Canada.
“This is an extremely important announcement for North Island College,” states NIC’s President Dr. Lindsay. “It really changes the perception and status of NIC as an educational institution and positions the college well for future expansion into other areas of applied research. The establishment of a Research Chair position at North Island College demonstrates that in addition to being an education service provider, the college also plays a role as an economic driver by supporting local industry through applied research.”
This new research will be led by Dr. Stephen Cross, an internationally acclaimed researcher who specializes in the design, engineering and testing of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture systems. The research program will invest in environmental monitoring programs to promote sustainable farming practices. It will examine innovative monitoring of environmental conditions, assess alternative farming site restoration methods, and develop unique educational tools to increase opportunities for training and awareness.
The BC Salmon Farmers Association’s Executive Director Mary Ellen Walling, a very strong proponent of the project, states “It is important to build research capacity in rural and coastal British Columbia and this project does just that. We look forward to working with North Island College on this project and others in the future.”
North Island College’s Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation (CARTI) will administer the five-year grant. CARTI is located in Campbell River, the primary location for finfish aquaculture operations in BC. Its mandate is to build connections with industry and community partners while extending opportunities for student learning and future employment. It also provides NIC faculty with access to current knowledge in their practice area. Several key project partners include Marine Harvest Canada, Creative Salmon Co. Ltd., Mainstream Canada and Grieg BC Seafood Ltd. “North Island College understands that scientific research is critical to making good decisions about aquaculture and our environment,” adds Dr. Lindsay. “By working with our project partners, we can facilitate solutions to the challenges confronting these organizations, work to enhance the production efficiency of the industry, and thereby positively contribute to the socio-economic wellbeing of our region.”
