OTTAWA, ON – Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of new leadership across its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Several new members, each bringing a wealth of expertise, are dedicated to supporting Canada’s seafood farmers in being recognized and embraced as an important domestic source of sustainably-produced, affordable, secure food production for Canada. There has never been a more important point in time to champion, nurture and grow Canada’s aquaculture industry.
Joel Richardson, Vice President of Public Relations at family-owned Cooke Aquaculture Inc. based in New Brunswick, has been elected as CAIA’s new Board Chair. With an extensive government and business background and deep commitment to sustainable seafood production and wild salmon conservation, Mr. Richardson’s leadership will be pivotal in driving CAIA’s mission forward.
“Over 50% of the world's seafood comes from ocean farms because marine aquaculture is one of the healthiest and most efficient ways to feed the population with minimal environmental impact and low carbon footprint. Canada’s aquaculture sector generates nearly $5 billion in economic activity, employs thousands of people, and is a vital social driver in coastal, rural and Indigenous communities,” said Richardson.
“The Federal Liberal Government’s poor handling of aquaculture on the coast of BC has resulted in job insecurity, lost investment opportunity and major socio-economic impacts on hard working Canadians. Aquaculture is agriculture, and the time has come for the federal government to bring aquaculture growth and development under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to legitimize the sector’s rightful place as a major farming contributor to the nation’s food security.”
The 2024-2025 Executive Committee of the CAIA Board includes:
Joel Richardson (Chair), Cooke Aquaculture Inc., NB
Jennifer Woodland (Vice-Chair), Grieg Seafood BC, BC
Cyr Couturier (Treasurer), Marine Institute, Memorial University of Newfoundland, NL
Mia Parker (Secretary), Mowi Canada West, BC
Elizabeth Barlow (Member-at-Large), Grieg NL, NL
Steve Langley (Member-at-Large), Atlantic Aqua Farms, PEI
Linda Sams (Member-at-Large), Cermaq Canada, BC
Trevor Stanley (Member-at-Large), Skretting Canada, NL
Brian Yip (Member-at-Large), Fanny Bay Oysters, BC
In addition, CAIA welcomes new Board members Jamie Gaskill (Poseidon Ocean Systems), Lucas Linkletter (Raspberry Point Oysters), Jason McGrattan (Merck Canada), Gopakumar Menon (Garware Technical Fibres), Gideon Pringle (Mowi Canada East), Amédée Savoie (La Maison BeauSoleil), and Isaac Yun (Cargill Canada). For a complete list of Board Members please visit the CAIA Board of Directors webpage.
About Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance 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 $4.7 billion in economic activity, $1.9 billion in GDP, and employ over 16,800 Canadians delivering a healthy, growing and sustainable seafood farming sector in Canada. www.aquaculture.ca
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Media Inquiries:
Sheri Beaulieu
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
Email: sheri.beaulieu@aquaculture.ca