Latest Industry News
Oceans Advance Newsletter – June 23, 2026
Promoting Aquaculture Technologies at Aquaculture UK
A strong Atlantic Canadian presence was on display last week at Aquaculture UK in Glasgow, Scotland. The show created valuable opportunities for Atlantic firms to promote their products and services, connect with potential buyers, and pursue new opportunities in the European market – reinforcing efforts to diversify trade and strengthen international partnerships.
Oceans Advance served as the lead organization for the delegation, with support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincial partners, helping create a strong, unified regional presence. Through a coordinated Canadian pavilion, the delegation was well positioned to showcase innovative technology solutions and build meaningful connections on the international stage. Aquaculture UK continues to be a key platform for Atlantic Canadian companies to expand into new markets, strengthen exports, and demonstrate leadership in aquaculture technology solutions.
Oceans Advance in Norway
Oceans Advance led a delegation of Atlantic Canadian companies and partners on a recent aquaculture technology mission to Stavanger, Norway, positioning the region’s ocean technology expertise within one of the world’s most advanced aquaculture hubs.
Through a structured program of seminars, technical sessions, and site visits, the delegation engaged with organizations including Stiim Aqua Cluster, AKVA Group, PHARMAQ, and Nofima, and toured key operations such as Grieg Seafood, Sterling Halibut, and Harbor Fence. This mission aligns with Oceans Advance’s strategic focus to support international market development and innovation within the ocean technology sector, with support from ACOA and the four Atlantic provinces.
Marine Institute: Growing the Maritime Talent Pipeline
Next in our series of Innovation Waves interviews, Captain Kris Drodge, Head of the School of Maritime Studies at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University (MI) and Oceans Advance board member, highlights MI’s critical role in strengthening the maritime talent pipeline.
Speaking candidly about workforce development, he emphasizes how MI is not simply an academic institution, but a connector between industry, education, and future professionals. By aligning training programs with real offshore and marine sector needs, MI ensures graduates are workforce-ready and equipped with practical skills that match evolving industry demands.
This close collaboration with industry partners helps maintain a steady flow of highly trained personnel into key sectors, reinforcing Newfoundland and Labrador’s reputation for a skilled and adaptable maritime workforce.
Ocean Startups
The latest issue of the Journal of Ocean Technology (JOT), a publication of the Marine Institute, is now available online. “Ocean Startups,” with guest editor Dr. Paula Mendonça of the Ocean Startup Project, offers an inspiring look at some of the innovative companies shaping the future of the ocean economy.
All materials in the JOT are published in open access format, making them accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. You can read, download, and share the full issue in flipbook format and in downloadable PDFs by following the link below.
Innovate Aquaculture – Industry Day
The Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Studio, delivered by Hatch Blue in partnership with Oceans Advance, will launch this July in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Funded by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the program will support high-potential aquaculture, aquatech, and marine biotechnology companies that are ready to move beyond early validation and into growth.
Following the10 day in-person program, Oceans Advance and Hatch Blue will be hosting Innovate Aquaculture – an Industry Day event taking place on Thursday, July 23 at the Co-Innovation Centre.
Innovate Aquaculture will bring together stakeholders from across industry, investment, technology, research, and government and provide a forum to explore the innovations, partnerships, and opportunities shaping the future of aquaculture technology and the role Canada can play in leading it.
📅 Thursday, July 23
🕰️ 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
🏢 Co-Innovation Centre
📍 710 Torbay Road, St. John’s, NL
Newfoundland and Labrador as a Global Stage for Next-gen Ocean Innovators: MATE ROV in NL
The Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) World Championship is set to take place at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador, from June 25-27, 2026.
This event will bring together students from around the globe to compete in the MATE ROV Competition. Teams will design and construct an ROV, pilot it in the world’s largest flume tank, and present their engineering and marketing displays. The event is a significant opportunity for students to showcase their skills in science, engineering, and technology, and to prepare for the blue economy workforce.
Good Luck to Newfoundland and Labrador Teams!
Good luck to all the teams from Newfoundland and Labrador that qualified for the 2026 MATE ROV World Championship being held in St. John’s, June 25th – 27th at the Marine Institute of Memorial University, The NRC – Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering Research Centre, and The Launch.
They will be joined by two other Canadian teams:
- Explorer Class: Kelpie Robotics (University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON)
- Ranger Class: Where’s Waldo (Trafalgar Castle School, Whitby, ON)
They will be competing with more than 1,000 students from 80+ teams across 18 countries.
Explorer Class
Eastern Edge Robotics
Memorial University St. John’s Campus and Marine Institute students
Pioneer Class
Western Wave Robotics
Memorial University Grenfell Campus and CNA Corner Brook Campus students
Ranger Class
Cougar Robotics
Clarenville High School, Clarenville, NL
Shark Tech
Labrador Straits Academy, L’Anse Au Loup NL
Heart Innovators
Holy Heart of Mary High School, St. John’s, NL
St. Mark’s Robotics
St. Mark’s School, King’s Cove, NL
DEADLINE EXTENDED: CanExport SMEs
The application window for the 2026–2027 intake has been extended to August 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM (ET). There is still time to submit a strong, well-prepared application.
CanExport SMEs helps small and medium-sized businesses like yours diversify exports and expand into new international markets through funding for eligible business development activities.
Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call
Talent and Research Powering Canadian Defence and Security Innovation
The Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call is open now with an application deadline of August 17, 2026. The call is designed to support Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, mobilizing academic talent to help advance R&D in areas that the strategy identifies as sovereign capabilities, and is delivered in collaboration with Canada’s Department of National Defence.
The call offers enhanced Accelerate funding per internship unit (IU) for Master’s and PhD students ($20,000 per IU) and postdoctoral fellows ($25,000 per IU).
Eligible projects are those in aerospace, digital systems (AI, quantum, cyber), in-service support, personnel protection, sensors, space, specialized manufacturing, training and simulation, uncrewed systems, quantum science and technology, or arctic sovereignty.
This is a competitive call with a limited number of awards available. Mitacs will review all applications along with external peer reviewers, and a panel will determine the funding decisions. We expect to notify applicants of our funding decisions by early November 2026.
For more details, see the Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call page or download the PDF below.
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