Mowi comms director elected chair of Canadian aquaculture group

The board of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has elected salmon farmer Mowi’s Canada, Scotland, and Ireland communications director Ian Roberts as its new chairperson.

Roberts, whose career has taken him from Pacific Canada to Scotland and then to Atlantic Canada, succeeds Jennifer Woodland of Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Limited Partnership who stepped down after almost three years and now serves as past chair.

“The seafood farming community in Canada is focused and resilient,” said Roberts.

“We are the seafood growth pathway for Canada with many coastal communities looking to grow sustainable foods and economic opportunities. With positive support from our communities and governments, Canada can realise this great sustainable, healthy, and secure food opportunity.”

Innovative and sustainable

Outgoing chair Woodland said the sector had incredible potential for Canada.

“Low-carbon, innovative, sustainable and secure food production, great jobs in coastal communities in all ten provinces and one territory, Indigenous partnership, economic opportunity and leadership. With deepened collaboration and united together we will continue our work to realise this sector’s great future in Canada,” added Woodland.

Amédée Savoie, of New Brunswick seafood wholesaler La Maison BeauSoleil, and Cyrus Singh, of the K'awat'si Development Corporation, were newly elected to the executive committee while four others were re-elected: Joel Richardson, communications chief for salmon farmer Cooke Aquaculture Inc. (vice-chair), Cyr Couturier, Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland (treasurer), Mia Parker, Mowi Canada West (secretary) and Linda Sams, salmon farmer Cermaq Canada.

Indigenous voices

CAIA president and chief executive Timothy Kennedy said: “We’re very pleased to welcome these new and returning members to our national Board of Directors and leadership. Together, they represent producers, suppliers and regional associations from across Canada – united in their passion for the sustainable growth of seafood farming.

“In particular, I’d like to recognise Larry Johnson, president of Nuu-chah-nulth Seafood Limited Partnership and co-chair of the CAIA Indigenous Partners Network, and also Cyrus Singh, CEO of the K’awat’si Development Corporation. We’re very pleased to have two leaders from Indigenous-owned seafood businesses elected to the Board, and that they will lend their voices and talents to developing the national aquaculture discussion.”