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Archived - Marine and Ocean Industry Technology Roadmap: Highlights
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The Context
Canada is a maritime country. The marine and ocean industry contributes $20 billion annually to the Canadian economy and add up to 350 000 part-time and full-time jobs, especially in coastal communities. Traditional sectors such as fishing, shipbuilding and water transportation are being joined by others including oil and gas, aquaculture, and recreational fishing.
The Challenge
Significant global trends are driving the marine and oceans industry — climate change, energy demand, food production, and sustainability. The composition of companies in this sector is small to medium-sized, geographically dispersed, and possessing limited ability to expand and grow markets. A broad range of national competencies is needed, not only from research and technological innovation but also management skills, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
The Objective
By the year 2012, Canada is to become an internationally recognized centre for marine and ocean technologies. This vision is to be accomplished by building on current strengths, e.g., cold-water technologies, and by broadening these strengths, e.g., marine industrial supply to offshore oil and gas.
Key Participants
- Industry/Associations: Institut Maritime du Québec, Maritime Workers Union, Shipbuilding Association Canada, Newfoundland Ocean Industries Association, SeaState Capital Inc., BC Ferries, InnovaQuest Inc., Canadian Shipowners Association, B.C.'s Cooperative Ocean Information Network
- Government: Industry Canada, National Research Council (NRC), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, National Defence, and Environment Canada.
Benefits and Key Results
- Identified over 1 200 specific technologies relevant to marine and ocean industries
- Provided NRC's Institute of Ocean Technologies with strong basis for identification and refinement of their research agenda
- Part of Industry Canada's Shipbuilding and Marine Policy Framework; a contributor to the Deputy Minister's Committee on Oceans and a significant catalyst in the Clerk of the Privy Council's Dinner on Canada's Ocean Action Agenda.
