Inverness aquaculture firm expands in Canada
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INVERNESS-headquartered Gael Force Group is expanding its presence in Canada by opening a base in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland.
Based immediately off the Trans-Canada Highway, the location has been chosen for the ease of access to the company’s customers in the Atlantic Canada aquaculture sector.
Gael Force is currently building feeding barges and designing and supplying mooring systems, feed cameras and other technology equipment for new sites in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Its clients include aquaculture giant Mowi – formerly Marine Harvest – which is growing its operations in the region.
Stephen Divers, business development director at Gael Force, said: “Aquaculture has the potential to transform rural economies. We have seen first-hand how this has happened in Scotland over the past 30 years.
“The similarities between Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland give us tremendous confidence that aquaculture can be transformative for the area. We have been hugely encouraged by the political support and leadership of the industry in the area.
“Every person we have engaged with has welcomed the prospect of Gael Force making an inward investment
“We are wholly confident that our capability, breadth of product and service, innovative technologies and experience will meet the needs of producers and enable them to safely, securely and sustainably meet the highest standards of fish husbandry.”
Elvis Loveless, parliamentary secretary to the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources in Canada, said: “The government of Newfoundland and Labrador has been working diligently with industry partners to sustainably and safely grow our province’s aquaculture industry and stimulate private sector employment.
“The forecasted potential of this sector has placed us on the cusp of major growth in our supply sector, and we are pleased to welcome innovative service companies such as Gael Force to our province to provide economic benefits and help drive excellence in this exciting and promising industry.”
Barry Manuel, the Mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor, said “We are delighted that Gael Force has set up their operations. Aquaculture will be a very important economic driver in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are very excited that Gael Force, an important supply chain partner, sees the strategic business advantage of Grand Falls-Windsor.”
