Award for environment watchdog who has 'shaped salmon sector'

The founder of a company regarded as a pillar of environmental stewardship in fish farming has been honoured by the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers’ Association (ACFFA).

Bob Sweeney, who started Sweeney International Marine Corp (SIMCorp) in 2002, was announced as the recipient of ACFFA’s 2024 Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award on Friday.

Over the past 22 years, SIMCorp has conducted marine habitat surveys and monitoring for 97% of the marine salmon and trout farms in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador, and in the US state of Maine. It has also been instrumental in supporting fish hatcheries across the region.

Leadership

“Bob Sweeney’s integrity and commitment to sustainable aquaculture have left an indelible mark on Atlantic Canada’s salmon farming sector,” said ACFFA chair Tom Taylor. “His leadership in the development of environmental assessments, monitoring regulations and stewardship initiatives have shaped our sector and helped create the successful industry we have today.”

Approximately 115 salmon farmers, industry stakeholders, scientists, researchers, provincial and federal government representatives, and aquaculture professionals participated in ACFFA’s Annual Science, Research and Technology Forum last week in St Andrews, New Brunswick, where the award was presented.

Sweeney began his career with New Brunswick’s Department of Natural Resources and later moved to the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture as an aquaculture development officer, working closely with the province’s emerging salmon farming industry. Later, he transitioned to senior roles in production and management with Cooke Aquaculture Inc. and Deer Island Salmon Ltd., gaining a comprehensive perspective on the industry, before founding SIMCorp.

He has served on numerous aquaculture boards and committees and has led several industry mission tours to the world’s biggest fish farming trade show, Aqua Nor in Trondheim, Norway.

Kindness and mentorship

Outside of his professional life, Sweeney gives back to his community, Taylor said. He participates in We’ve Got Your Back, a programme to give backpacks of ready-to-eat food to children who rely on school for their meals during the week but who would otherwise go hungry at the weekend. Sweeney is also involved in entrepreneurial projects at schools, and sponsors sports teams and events. He is known for his kindness, compassion, mentorship and love for his family.

“Because of Bob, our sector has advanced in a sustainable way and our community is a better place to live and work. He is a true ambassador of sustainable aquaculture,” said Taylor.

Sweeney was unable to attend the awards dinner, but SIMCorp’s chief administrative officer Amanda Dinsmore accepted the award and gave an acceptance speech on his behalf, in which he said: “Truly, I would not be the recipient of this award had it not been for the trust placed in me and my team by our clients – the salmon farmers of Atlantic Canada. A simple thank you hardly seems enough, but thank you.”

A charity auction held during the awards dinner raised $3,500 for the new ACFFA Salmon Research Award, established in honour of the late Betty House, whose passion for and dedication to salmon in Atlantic Canada was marked by her 20-plus year career in the salmon aquaculture industry and her role in the Inner Bay of Fundy Salmon Recovery Project.

ACFFA’s science liaison coordinator Evie Gagné presented the inaugural award to Kristin Armstrong, a master’s student at the University of New Brunswick who is investigating the reproductive success of captively reared salmon for the purposes of conservation as part of the Fundy Salmon Recovery programme.