New, specialized scientific equipment will help Oceans Ltd. expand, provide better data and analysis, increase revenues
January 23, 2019 – Halifax, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
The oceans sector is a key economic driver in Atlantic Canada, generating new opportunities for sustainable economic growth, diversifying communities and creating well-paying jobs for the middle class. Oceans Ltd. contributes to the industry by providing valuable information about the marine environment to help its clients improve safety and operate more effectively at sea.
The company has hired a modeler and a physical oceanographer and has purchased specialized equipment so it can expand to take advantage of new opportunities arising from an expected increase in activity related to Ocean Supercluster activities. This will enable the company to provide better oceans research, data and analysis for its customers, mainly in the oil and gas industry, and attract new business.
That is why the Government of Canada has provided a repayable contribution of $249,563 for this project. Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made the announcement today.
The Government of Canada is making smart investments that will create good, middle-class jobs in our country. It is helping small and medium-sized businesses to start-up, expand or modernize and supporting not-for-profit organizations to fuel business growth. Support for this project is one way the Government of Canada is working to achieve its Atlantic Growth Strategy outcome of long-term economic prosperity in the region.
"Research and innovation in the vital oceans sector will help foster the scaling up of small firms in Atlantic Canada and generate regional economic wealth. Pioneering ocean technology companies like Oceans Ltd. are leading the way in helping businesses in the ocean sector become more innovative, effective and sustainable."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
"Oceans Ltd. studies the ocean, learns from it and interprets the information for its clients. New equipment and staff will enable the company to provide better research and data analysis to existing clients and attract new ones. Oceans Ltd. is contributing to the growth of the oceans technology sector, strengthening the region's competitive edge, creating well-paying, highly skilled jobs and a more prosperous future for Atlantic Canadians."
Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament for Halifax
"The oceanography equipment was purchased as part of a research and development project to collect ocean current and temperature data in the water column, process the data on location in a telemetry buoy and then transmit the real-time processed data via satellite back to the user. This is new technology that has multiple purposes for the marine industry."
Judith Bobbitt, President and Physical Oceanographer, Oceans Ltd.
Quick facts
Oceans Ltd. was founded in 1981, in St. Johns, NL, and has an office in Halifax. It provides the majority of private sector oceanography services in Atlantic Canada.
Using advanced analysis techniques, Oceans Ltd. is a leader in the field of physical oceanography, iceberg measurements, marine weather forecasting, environmental biomonitoring, and research on the medicinal uses of seaweed.
The company employs 33 people including biochemists, biologists, physical oceanographers, chemists, engineers, and meteorologists. Two additional technical positions have been added.
More than 75 percent of Canada's oceans-related economic activity is in Atlantic Canada.
The Government of Canada invested $249,563 in this project through ACOA's Business Development Program (BDP).
The BDP primarily assists Atlantic Canadian entrepreneurs who want to start a business, increase productivity or improve operations. Investments under the BDP address any gap that may arise if an application does not fit within ACOA's Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program.
The Business Development Program continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.
