— April 26, 2016 —
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, on behalf of local salmon farmers, will host two farm tours on Saturday, June 15 to give the public an opportunity to learn about salmon farming. The ACFFA will also host an ‘Art for Heart’ auction on Wednesday, June 12 at The Gala Chef’s Dinner. Guests at the dinner will get the opportunity to watch local artists create paintings and then bid on the finished pieces. Proceeds from the tours and the auction will be donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“The Heart and Stroke Foundation is near and dear to our hearts. Our staff and members raise money for this organization with our Five Easy Pieces campaign,” says Pamela Parker, Executive Director of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association. “Since many of the events slated for Bay of Fundy Seafood Week are focused on the health benefits of seafood, we thought this was a terrific opportunity to educate people about the health benefits of salmon and raise money for a good cause too. Atlantic salmon is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. It’s one of the world’s best sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It’s also high in protein, low in saturated fat and loaded with vitamin D and E.”
The salmon farm tours, on Island Quest Marine boats, will leave St. Andrews main wharf on Saturday, June 15 at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm, weather permitting. The tours will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited. Cost is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Proceeds from the tours will also be donated to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“Come and enjoy some time on the beautiful Bay of Fundy as you discover how Atlantic salmon are farmed,” says Parker. “These tours are a great opportunity for people to learn about our sustainable and innovative industry and celebrate New Brunswick seafood.”
ACFFA representatives will be onboard to provide an overview of the salmon aquaculture industry and to answer questions about our operations. Participants will also get the chance to sample some fresh and delicious Atlantic salmon, courtesy of True North Salmon.
The ‘Art for Heart’ event will take place on Wednesday, June 12 from 6:30-10:00 p.m. as part of The Seafood Forum’s Chef’s Gala Dinner at the Algonquin Resort Golf Clubhouse. Charlotte County artists Geoff Slater, Theresa MacKnight and Adam Jeffrey will create paintings to be auctioned off at the end of the evening. Charlotte-The Isles MLA Rick Doucet will serve as auctioneer.
Best known for his line paintings, Geoff Slater also creates traditional images using watercolour and acrylic, graphites and prints using woodblock, intaglio and lithograph techniques. His website is: www.geoffslater.com.
St. Andrews resident Theresa MacKnight studied art at Mount Allison University and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. A high school art teacher for 20 years, she works in encaustics, oils and other mixed media. Her website is: www.theresamacknight.com.
St. Andrews artist Adam Jeffrey is a painter and printmaker who draws inspiration from the natural world. The large and small eco-systems that surround us give reason to his practice. Sometimes he will make commentary on certain current events, but his work is more a reflection on the beauty of nature. His website is: www.adamjeffreyartwork.com.
The Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA) is an industry-funded association working on behalf of the salmon farming industry in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The ACFFA represents salmon producers in addition to a wide range of supporting companies and organizations. Salmon farming employs over 3000 people in our region and generates over $330 million to our provincial economies.