Funding for the Ocean Supercluster is amazing news for Canada’s ocean economy and for Atlantic Canada! We congratulate the consortium for putting together such a compelling proposal, and we thank Minister Navdeep Bains for this exciting investment by the Government of Canada.
Private and public-sector players have capitalized on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by joining together in a collective, cross-sectoral vision to triple the current value of the ocean economy in Canada by 2050. This investment will build on long-standing strengths and aims to create the world’s smartest and most innovative ocean economy.
The Ocean Supercluster’s master plan is comprised of five key pillars, one of which is genomics — a powerful combination of genetics, biology and computer science — which helps us understand the DNA code of every living thing. While genomics technologies can help many companies across multiple sectors in Atlantic Canada, among its most promising applications are in supporting various value chains within the Ocean Supercluster. For example, using microbial genomics to track the presence of petroleum deposits and reduce microbial-influenced corrosion of oil and gas pipelines; environmental genomics for environmental effects monitoring around oil platforms and offshore tidal energy installations; enhanced fish health and nutrition for the aquaculture industry; the development of elite Atlantic salmon broodstock to overcome the challenges posed by climate change; and the identification of novel, renewable bio-resources.
Genome Atlantic is proud to be a partner in the Ocean Supercluster initiative. We know that by working together, across sectors and provinces, we will leverage this unprecedented investment into a thriving 21st-century economy built on innovation and one of our biggest natural resources.
Steve Armstrong, president and CEO
Genome Atlantic
Halifax
