Association Profile

The Manitoba Aquaculture Producer's Association is a not-for-profit, Manitoba corporation that was founded in January, 2006 by a group of concerned individuals who believe the potential to develop Aquaculture on the Prairies has not been receiving the recognition or the attention it deserves in part due to a general lack of available, present day, relevant information and location specific research data.

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), most capture fisheries are either fully exploited or have been over-fished, while demand for seafood continues to grow.

Governments, the seafood industry, and consumers look increasingly to aquaculture—the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and plants—to fill the gap between wild fisheries landings and seafood demand.

In response, aquaculture has been growing at an annual rate of about nine percent worldwide and, by some estimates, now produces nearly half of the fish and seafood eaten. Aquaculture is also playing a growing role in efforts to restore and maintain depleted stocks of wild fish and other aquatic organisms.

M.A.P.A. believes that its efforts will serve to inform and enlighten government, the general public, individuals who hope to become producers, existing producers seeking current information, wholesalers, distributors and consumers with one primary message; "Aquaculture can and does exist in harmony with the environment on the Prairies."

M.A.P.A. wishes to thank Dr. Terry Dick of the University of Manitoba, Linda McNair of the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council ("MRAC") and Hilmar Johnson of Manitoba Agriculture Food & Rural Initiatives ("MAFRI") for their continued support, encouragement and guidance in establishing the Manitoba Aquaculture Producer's Association.

To view the MRAC website detailing the workshop where the concept of forming M.A.P.A. was first envisioned, Please click here: Spawning Aquaculture Workshop

Membership Information

Regular membership is limited to an individual that operates or owns an aquaculture facility, works in the aquaculture industry, works in an industry which supplies goods and services to the aquaculture industry, researchers and other individuals interested in the promotion of aquaculture in Manitoba. Organizations may be a Regular Member i.e. one member one vote but the fee schedule is different (see fee schedule). Regular members in good standing will be entitled to all voting rights and privileges.

Associate membership is open to any interested person by payment of the annual membership fee as noted in the fee section. Associate members are not entitled to voting rights.

Membership Fees:

Regular membership (Voting) $60.00
Organization (Regular Membership) $250.00

Associate membership (Non-voting) $30.00
Organization (Associate Membership) $150.00

Application

For Membership Application Forms Please Click Here: M.A.P.A. 2007 Membership Application
Once you have downloaded and filled in your application form, Please return it to us, along with your Membership Fee;

By regular mail to:
Manitoba Aquaculture Producer's Association Inc.
Box 4, Group 232, R.R. 2, Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada, R1A 2A9

For Further Details Please Contact:
John Bottomley, President, Telephone: +1 (204) 296-8855 johnb@aquaculturemanitoba.ca
Hilmar Johnson, Secretary, Telephone: +1 (204) 886-4405 hilmar@aquaculturemanitoba.ca