— October 27, 2017 —
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers’ Association (ACFFA) established the award this year to mark its 30th anniversary. Skretting International sponsored the 2017 award and presented it to Taylor at ACFFA’s Anniversary Gala this week in St. Andrews.
“Gary has been involved with many innovations as the industry has evolved to what it is today, one of the most significant economic drivers in Atlantic Canada,” said Larry Ingalls, ACFFA Chair. “His professionalism, commitment, hard work and passion for this industry truly deserve to be recognized and we’re proud that he is the inaugural recipient of this award.”
Taylor entered the aquaculture industry in 1981 when he graduated from the Aquaculture Technician Program at the New Brunswick Community College in St. Andrews. He first worked in Dark Harbour, Grand Manan, where was the first site manager hired in the industry working for Fundy Aquaculture. He joined Skretting in 1988 where he has been providing customers with excellent service, linking them to the many innovations in feed and fish growth that have taken place over the last 29 years.
“We have such a great industry here. We’ve got the best protein in the world with the least impact on the environment,” Taylor said. “It’s something to be extremely proud of and everyone in this room deserves a hand for the great industry we have developed.”
Approximately 140 salmon farmers, industry stakeholders, scientists, researchers, provincial and federal government representatives, and community members gathered in St. Andrews this week for ACFFA’s 2017 Aquaculture, Research, Science and Technology Forum at the Huntsman Fundy Discovery Centre. Conference participants heard presentations that looked back over the evolution of the industry as well as those that showcased the latest research and innovations, including a Sea Lice Resistance Panel sponsored by Elanco. At the Anniversary Gala, ACFFA also paid tribute to long-time board member and Cooke Aquaculture VP Communications Nell Halse who is retiring at the end of 2017.
“Nell Halse has been an incredibly strong voice for this industry. She’s a collaborator, a builder and a true professional,” said Ingalls. “She’s made a significant and lasting contribution to this industry and as a result, this province. I wish her well in her retirement.”
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is an industry-funded association working on behalf of Atlantic Canada’s salmon farming industry in addition to a wide range of service and supply companies and organizations. Salmon farming employs over 3000 people in our region and has a value of over $350 million to provincial economies.
Picture Caption (from the left) NB Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet, ACFFA Executive Director Susan Farquharson, Gary Taylor, David Seeley and Trevor Stanley from Skretting.
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Kaufield, Communications Director
Email: Kathy.Kaufield@gmail.com
