Campbell River’s fish sciences centre gets federal funding

http://www.campbellrivermirror.com/news/157539165.html
By Contributed – Campbell River Mirror
Published: June 06, 2012 11:00 AM

Campbell River’s reputation as a major hub for marine finfish and shellfish aquaculture industries received a significant boost Saturday, thanks to federal funding announced by John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North.

“This funding demonstrates our Government’s commitment to supporting research that has real-life economic applications for key local industries like aquaculture,” said Minister Duncan during community celebrations for Ocean’s Day at the Maritime Heritage Centre. “With this investment we are creating jobs and new economic opportunities here in Campbell River.”

Western Diversification funding of $497,000 will allow the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences Society (BC CAHS) to attain International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) 17025:2005 accreditation. Duncan made the announcement on behalf of Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

ISO/IEC is an international standard that sets laboratory requirements for testing and calibration. New accreditation and expanded diagnostic services will enable BC CAHS to become a nationally recognized independent laboratory. With the right credentials to screen aquatic animals and seafood products, BC CAHS will help local companies keep up with increasing world demand by meeting international export standards.

“CAHS is pleased to be receiving funding for ISO certification today,” said Dr. Sonja Saksida, Executive Director, Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences. “This project will ultimately help the centre’s goal in improving the health and welfare of aquatic animals and the sustainability of our ecosystems.”

This ISO certification has been a long time in coming for the BC CAHS, Dr. Saksida said.

“We’ve been working on this proposal for several years,” she said.

The BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences is a not-for-profit society located in Campbell River and is the only aquatic research facility of its kind in the province.

CR Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences gets $497,000 in funding

http://www2.canada.com/courierislander/news/story.html?id=a81f8e2d-4445-4974-9a50-78353f3dad7e
Courier-Islander
Published: Wednesday, June 06, 2012

Campbell River’s BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences (BCCAHS) has received almost half a million dollars to seek international standards accreditation.

Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan announced Saturday that BCCAHS will receive funding of $497,000 from Western Economic Diversification, to allow the centre to attain International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) 17025: 2005 accreditation.

ISO/IEC is an international standard that sets laboratory requirements for testing and calibration. New accreditation and expanded diagnostic services will enable BCCAHS to become a nationally recognized independent laboratory. With the right credentials to screen aquatic animals and seafood products, BCCAHS will help local companies keep up with increasing world demand by meeting international export standards.

CAHS is pleased to be receiving funding for ISO certification today,” said Dr. Sonja Saksida, Executive Director, Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences. “This project will ultimately help the centre’s goal in improving the health and welfare of aquatic animals and the sustainability of our ecosystems.”

The BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences is a notfor-profit society and is the only aquatic research facility of its kind in the province.

“This funding demonstrates our government’s commitment to supporting research that has real-life economic applications for key local industries like aquaculture,” Duncan said during community celebrations for Ocean’s Day. “With this investment we are creating jobs and new economic opportunities here in Campbell River.”

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) works to create jobs and economic growth for Western Canada. By promoting new economic opportunities, WD is securing a more diverse and prosperous future for the West while advancing western interests at the national level.

Learn more at http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=678409

Harper Government Provides Support for BC Aquaculture Industry

http://www.wd-deo.gc.ca/eng/77_13723.asp

June 02, 2012
Campbell River, British Columbia

Campbell River’s reputation as a major hub for marine finfish and shellfish aquaculture industries received a significant boost today, thanks to federal funding announced by the Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification (WD).

“This funding demonstrates our Government’s commitment to supporting research that has real-life economic applications for key local industries like aquaculture,” said Minister Duncan during community celebrations for Ocean’s Day. “With this investment we are creating jobs and new economic opportunities here in Campbell River.”

WD funding of $497,000 will allow the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences Society (BC CAHS) to attain International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) 17025:2005 accreditation.

ISO/IEC is an international standard that sets laboratory requirements for testing and calibration. New accreditation and expanded diagnostic services will enable BC CAHS to become a nationally recognized independent laboratory. With the right credentials to screen aquatic animals and seafood products, BC CAHS will help local companies keep up with increasing world demand by meeting international export standards.

“CAHS is pleased to be receiving funding for ISO certification today,” said Dr. Sonja Saksida, Executive Director, Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences. “This project will ultimately help the centre’s goal in improving the health and welfare of aquatic animals and the sustainability of our ecosystems.”

The BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences is a not-for-profit society located in Campbell River and is the only aquatic research facility of its kind in the province.

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) works to create jobs and economic growth for Western Canada. By promoting new economic opportunities, WD is securing a more diverse and prosperous future for the West while advancing western interests at the national level.

For additional information, contact:

Jaime Burke
Regional Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
Telephone: (604) 666-1318

Dr. Sonja Saksida
Executive Director
Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences Society
Telephone: (250) 286-6102
Email: Sonja.Saksida@cahs-bc.ca