News
Monday, October 26, 2020
The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI), Memorial University’s research and development centre for Atlantic Canada’s fishing and aquaculture industries, is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Hutchings as its managing director.
CCFI’s Board of Directors appointed Mr. Hutchings to the position effective October 26, 2020.
“Keith brings a broad perspective to the position given has past experiences in industry and public life, said Alberto Wareham, Chairperson, CCFI Board of Directors. “I am looking forward to working with Keith to ensure the wild capture and aquaculture industries in Newfoundland and Labrador are aware of and can benefit from the many innovative technologies that are available to us and working on unique solutions to the challenges faced by both industries in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Mr. Hutchings will work directly with industry to facilitate access to scientific and technological facilities and expertise within Memorial University and Atlantic Canada institutions in the areas of aquaculture, fishing and harvesting with the aim of enhancing the industry’s productivity and profitability.
“The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) has a record of identifying operational challenges in the fishing industry and working collaboratively with industry and academia in identifying innovative solutions,” said Mr. Hutchings. “I look forward to using my professional experience and skill set to cultivate an innovative environment that takes advantage of the abundant opportunity in the fishing industry and continue to contribute to its growth. I look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders and seizing opportunities that enhance efficiencies and returns to industry participants.“
Mr. Hutchings was a Member of the House of Assembly, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, from 2007 to 2019. As a senior cabinet Minister, he led the newly established Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, and served as Intergovernmental Affairs Minister for the province of NL. He led the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture as well as the Department of Municipal Affairs. In addition, he served as Parliamentary Secretary in the Departments of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Health and Community Services. He was the lead minister for NL during negotiating the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU.
Prior to his entrance into politics he operated his own private sector consulting business where he built multiple industry clientele providing strategic business planning, occupational health and safety programming, regulatory compliance, public and government relations. He spent 11 years with the Workplace Health and Safety and Compensation Commission with diverse experiences in leading departmental operations in health and safety prevention, financial management and legislative entitlement.
Mr. Hutchings succeeds Mr. Robert (Bob) Verge who retired after ten years of service with the Centre.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and employees of CCFI, I would like to thank Bob for his dedication to CCFI since January 2010. Bob was instrumental in securing funding through challenging times for the Centre while continuing to develop and guide projects in both the wild capture and aquaculture industries to keep our industry moving forward,” said Mr. Wareham.
About CCFI
The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated and sponsored by Memorial University, in collaboration with industry and government. Since 1989, it has supported industry through projects involving technical problem solving and research and development related to aquaculture, capture fishing, and fish processing, utilizing the people and facilities of Memorial and other academic institutions.
