Sweeney has held senior roles in production and management at Cooke Aquaculture Inc. and Deer Island Salmon Ltd.
Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) has awarded the 2024 Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award to Bob Sweeney, founder of Sweeney International Marine Corp (SIMCorp), for his contribution to developing a sustainable salmon aquaculture industry in the region.
Regarding this distinction, the award recipient expressed: "It truly is an honor to be counted alongside such an illustrious group of previous recipients. Truly I would not be the recipient of this award had it not been for the trust placed in me and my team by our clients – the salmon farmers of Atlantic Canada. A simple thank you hardly seems enough, but thank you."
Moreover, ACFFA Chair Tom Taylor highlighted: "Bob Sweeney’s integrity and commitment to sustainable aquaculture have left an indelible mark on Atlantic Canada’s salmon farming sector. His leadership in the development of environmental assessments, monitoring regulations, and stewardship initiatives have shaped our sector and helped create the successful industry we have today."
Sweeney has held senior roles in production and management at Cooke Aquaculture Inc. and Deer Island Salmon Ltd. Additionally, he has been a member of numerous aquaculture boards and committees, including the ACFFA Board of Directors since 2006, the Board of Directors of the Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia; the Aquaculture Environmental Coordinating Committees for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; and the chairmanship of the former Atlantic Aquaculture Fair in St. Andrews.
In 2002, he founded SIMCorp to conduct marine habitat surveys and monitoring for 97% of the salmon and trout farms in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the state of Maine. It has also supported the management and implementation of fish hatcheries across the region.
Finally, the honoree has led several industry missions to AquaNor, was appointed to the Steering Committee and Board of the Marine Stewardship Council for Southwest New Brunswick, and was appointed co-chair alongside the Province and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for the Bay of Fundy Marine Advisory Committee.
The Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award, established in 2017, recognizes an individual with over 25 years of experience in the areas of science, environment, and technology who has contributed to the sustainable development of salmon aquaculture in Atlantic Canada.
Previous recipients include Gary Taylor (Skretting), Alan Donkin (Northeast Nutrition), Leighanne Hawkins (Cooke), Betty House (Science and Technology Coordinator at ACFFA), Stan McGrattan (Cooke), and Dr. Steve Backman (Skretting).