Pictured above: Dr. Douglas Wallace, Dalhousie & HMRI - OTCNS Chair Paul Yeatman - Premier Darrell Dexter - ADIANS President, Mr. Steve Elder

The Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Nova Scotia (ADIANS) announced today the establishment of the Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia (OTCNS) which will represent the interests of the province's ocean industries sector.

The Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia (OTCNS) was officially launched at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel today, following the 2nd Annual Industry-University Research Connections session, organized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Halifax Marine Research Institute.

The Council will represent the interests of the ocean technology industry sector through a collaborative forum engaging all stakeholders, working to advance the sector.

From the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy to the establishment of the Halifax Marine Research Institute, the ocean technology community is exploring a host of new opportunities," said OTCNS chair Paul Yeatman, as he announced the official launch of the Council. "Working together, we can maximize the economic impact of those opportunities for our community.”

Speakers at the OTCNS Networking Lunch included Premier Darrell Dexter, Dr. Douglas Wallace, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ocean Science and Technology, Dalhousie University and Science Director, Halifax Marine Research Institute, OTCNS Chair Paul Yeatman and ADIANS President, Mr. Steve Elder.

"Government, business, labour, and the community came together in a true partnership to capitalize on the waters that surround us to help Irving Shipbuilding become Canada's shipbuilder," said Premier Dexter. "In that same spirit of partnership, I welcome this new Council to focus on the oceans sector - an industry that holds great promise for Nova Scotia, in international trade, research, and economic development."

Mr. Yeatman also announced that a number of OTCNS members will be exhibiting at Oceanology International (OI) held at London, U.K., 13-15 March 2012. “OI is the leading conference and exhibition for ocean science and marine technology covering all areas of the industry. We are pleased with and proud of the caliber and diversity of delegates who will represent this Province.”

For Broadcast Use

Nova Scotia's Aerospace  and defence Industries Association has a new  council to represent the interests of the provinces ocean industries sector.

The launch of the Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia followed today's second Annual Industry-University Research Connections session.  The meeting was organized by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Halifax Marine Research Institute.

The Council will represent the interests of the Ocean Technology industry sector in a collaborative forum involving all stakeholders working to advance the  sector.

The council's leader Paul Yeatman said that the province's ocean technology community is looking at new opportunities, from the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy to the establishment of the Halifax Marine Research Institute.

Also speaking at the event were Premier Darrell Dexter and Dr. Douglas Wallace, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ocean Science and Technology, Dalhousie University and Science Director, Halifax Marine Research Institute.

Premier Dexter told the group how government, business, labour, and the community recently came together to help Irving Shipbuilding become Canada's shipbuilder and that he welcomes the new Council in same spirit of partnership.

For more information concerning OTCNS, please contact:

For more information concerning the 2nd Annual Industry-University Ocean Technology Research Connector, please contact: