Industry overview (2018):

While farmers were growing deliciously sustainable seafood, here’s what the Ontario Aquaculture Association was up to on their behalf in 2018-19:

1. Brought the industry together for the 2018 OAA Conference

The conference took place in Ingersoll in April 2018 for over 80 producers, suppliers, researchers and industry champions. Read the recap.

2. Rebranded the Ontario Aquaculture Association

In April 2018, we unveiled a new logo and slogans (“Eat Ontario Farmed Seafood”) to better represent our diverse industry. Download the logos and usage guide on the Media page.

3. Continued communication to our government friends

Our government advocacy this year included a clever trading card campaign for MPPs, meetings with relevant Ministers and 30+ other politicians and staffers, and a Member’s Statement from the floor of Queen’s Park. Continual communication and partnership has led to significant, confirmed progress on the industry’s advocacy agenda.

4. Hosted the 2018 Summer Grower Gathering

The summer gathering took place in Parry Sound for 25+ industry members to re-orient OAA’s strategic mandate and set our advocacy agenda, including a social golf tournament in collaboration with Aqua-Cage Fisheries. Read the summary.

5. Launched the new OAA website

Refreshed a new web presence for the association complete with an interactive map of farms, grower profiles, Frequently Asked Questions, recipes, and much more information for government, public and industry audiences.

6. Relaunched the bimonthly OAA email newsletter

In response to requests for more information of industry news, media, events, and activities. Read the two fall newsletters here: September/October & November/December.

7. Represented and/or presented at 12 partner events and meetings

• Premier’s Food Drive (March 2018)
• Lake Huron Coastal Conservation Conference (May 2018)
• Industry speaker at Georgian Bay Forever’s H20 event (October 2018)
• Inter-governmental Aquaculture Management Committee Meetings (April & October 2018)
• Youth Council speaker at Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance conference (November 2018)
• Ontario Federation of Agriculture AGM & Conference (November 2018)
• Foodland Ontario Quarterly Marketing Meetings (2018)
• Canadian Seafood Value Chain Roundtable, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (Feb 2019)

8. Organized workshop to define Ontario aquaculture research priorities

In partnership with the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation, the OAA brought together more than 40 industry members to determine research areas of focus for provincial and federal government groups, including industry-relevant research projects. Stay tuned for the summary report.

9. On-site visits to nearly every OAA grower member’s farms

By request of the Ontario Aquaculture Association board and members, the managing director RJ Taylor visited nearly every member farm to make sure the association is best representing industry needs moving forward.

10. Kept the association alive and working for members!

This year included 7 meetings of the OAA board of directors, onboarding new accountants, and relocating the office to Hanover, Ontario.

Can we help you?

If the Ontario Aquaculture Association can help with any of your personal government advocacy, communications, or meeting other OAA members, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.