CAIA's Chair, Joel Richardson.
Photo: Cooke.
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has announced the names of the new Executive Committee that will lead Canada's seafood farmers during the 2025-2026 term. Elected by its Board of Directors on October 2, it was yesterday that we learned that Joel Richardson, who has held the position of Chair since November 2024, will continue to hold it for at least another year.
His appointment last year came at a difficult period for marine aquaculture in Canada, following the government's announcement of a ban on open net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia by 2029. "There has never been a more important point in time to champion, nurture and grow Canada's aquaculture industry," CAIA said in its statement at the time. This year, the challenge continues.
"With over half of the world's seafood coming from aquaculture farming, Canada needs to get on board and support further responsible development of this food sector to attract investment, create jobs and increase trade," Joel Richardson now stated.
"Science shows that well-regulated marine farms have a small environmental footprint and have the lowest carbon footprint of all animal production in the world. Seafood farms must co-exist and indeed support wild species protection and recovery. We're committed to this," the re-elected Chair of the CAIA Executive Committee added.
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance itself emphasized this same idea in the release announcing its new 2025-2026 Executive Committee.
"At this time of growing global uncertainty, seafood farming presents an important solution for Canada to secure healthy, sustainable and home-grown protein for Canadians, while also building coastal communities and contributing to Canada's economic strength," it stated.
In the effort to grow Canada's aquaculture industry both in terms of results and recognition among Canadian society, Joel Richardson will be joined on the Executive Committee by other well-known members of the sector.
Thus, Jennifer Woodland, Managing Director of Grieg Seafood BC Ltd., who is also Chair of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, has been elected CAIA's Vice-Chair; aquaculture industry veteran Cyr Couturier will serve as Treasurer; and Mia Parker, Director of Environmental Performance & Certification at Mowi Canada West, will serve as Secretary.
The 2025-2026 Executive Committee is completed by Elizabeth Barlow, Regional Director of Grieg Seafood Newfoundland; Steve Langley, VP of Canadian Operations at Atlantic Aqua Farms Ltd.; Gordon McLellan, Manager at Mac's Oysters Ltd., Vicki Savoie, Sustainable Development Director, East Coast at Cermaq Canada, who is also new to the Board; and Trevor Stanley, Managing Director at Skretting North America, all serving as Members-at-Large.
Regarding all of them, the Canadian national association speaking for seafood farmers stated that "the Executive Committee is a dynamic team, whose passion and dedication to Canadian aquaculture will help to grow a dynamic and sustainable seafood farming industry."
In addition, CAIA also welcomed new Board Members Dave Conley from Aquaculture Communications Group; Terry Drost from Four Links Marketing; Britta Fiander from Genome Atlantic; Jonathan Gagné from Entreprises Shippagan; Savanna Higgins from Ontario Aquaculture Association; and, as said, Vicki Savoie from Cermaq Canada. A complete list of Board Members is available at the CAIA Board of Directors webpage.
CAIA represents Canada's seafood farmers in Ottawa and internationally to regulators, policy makers and political leaders. Its members generate over CAD 5.3 billion in economic activity, CAD 2 billion in GDP, and employ over 17,550 Canadians.
