Canada’s seafood farmers aim for a healthier and wealthier planet

Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance president, Timothy Kennedy joins global Advisory Network to help chart a path to a sustainable ocean economy

SeaWestNews

Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) will work with expert partners around the world as an invited member of the Advisory Network to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Oceans Economy (HLP).

“The expert report on ocean food for the HLP has said that the largest potential carbon reduction gains for global food production lies in the sustainable expansion of marine aquaculture,” explained Kennedy.

“Canada has a massive opportunity – largely untapped – for its oceans and ocean farming to be an important solution to climate mitigation.”

The HLP aims to develop, catalyze and support solutions for ocean health and wealth in policy, governance, technology and finance. By focusing on the protection of, production from and investment in the ocean, the Panel will chart a path to a sustainable ocean economy.

The HLP is the only ocean policy body made up of serving world leaders.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is among the 14 heads of government with the authority needed to trigger, amplify and accelerate action for ocean protection and economic development in policy, governance and finance.

“I’m excited to represent Canada’s seafood farmers towards the HLP mission to inspire ambition, motivate action, and accelerate progress towards a healthy ocean,” said Kennedy. “Our industry’s work to realize Indigenous reconciliation, grow jobs in remote coastal communities and achieve constant improvement in operations, is sustainable economic activity in action: meeting economic, social and environmental goals.”

The Advisory Network will provide input and knowledge to the HLP on its preparation for the UN Ocean Conference 2020 in Lisbon.

A series of scientific and technical papers, innovative and actions-based solutions, and recommendations to catalyze and implement actions will assist the HLP in driving the ocean agenda well beyond 2020.

Canada’s seafood farmers look forward to working with the other members of the Advisory Network and creating a long-lasting impact on the welfare of the ocean and all those who depend on it, said CAIA.

Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) is the national association that speaks for Canada’s seafood farmers, representing their interests in Ottawa and internationally to regulators, policy makers and political leaders.

CAIA members generate over $6 billion in economic activity, $2.45 billion in GDP, and employ over 25,000 Canadians delivering a healthy, growing and sustainable seafood farming sector in Canada.

(Image of Tim Kennedy courtesy of Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia)