New research institute to study Atlantic coastal zones

Shippagan, NB October 22, 2003 A Coastal Zones Research Institute being established at the to Universit de Moncton is receiving additional funding of $3,545,522 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding between the province and Universit de Moncton will give the institute the mandate to manage the research areas covered by the Aquarium and Marine Centre and the aquaculture research programs by the department of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture.

The province, which already announced a $1-million contribution for creating the institute, will second 12 employees from Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture to work at the institute, under the newly signed memorandum of understanding.

The Coastal Zones Research Institute is a cluster formed by the Peat Research and Development Centre, the research section of the Aquarium and Marine Centre, and the Marine Products Research and Development Centre, under the aegis of Universit de Moncton, Shippagan campus. While the project involves building laboratory facilities and purchasing research equipment, its key goal is to regroup these three centres of expertise in order to enhance New Brunswick’s research and innovation capacity and to create new economic development opportunities.

The institute’s main objective is to foster sustainable development of the resources found in coastal zones, mainly in eastern New Brunswick and the Atlantic provinces. It will deliver specialized scientific services to industry and the business community such as: laboratory analysis for quality control, information services, technology transfer, and development of new products and services through research projects produced in partnership with various government organizations and the industry.

“The Government of Canada is proud to assist with the creation of a major project such as the Coastal Zones Research Institute,” said federal Labour Minister Claudette Bradshaw at the announcement. “This institute will help position the Acadian Peninsula as a key research and knowledge centre in the economic fields of peat, aquaculture and marine products. It will also help the region’s businesses involved in these industries to access expertise and to better compete in a knowledge-oriented global marketplace.”