BioMarine Business Convention 2017 - Québec and Argentina conclude a research agreement

RIMOUSKI, QC, Oct. 3, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Québec Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region Jean D'Amour today announced that a collaborative project was about to be concluded between Québec and Argentina in the field of the marine sciences. The partnership project stems from the BioMarine Business Convention, an international event being held in Rimouski from October 1 to 3, 2017.

Minister D'Amour will meet with Daniel Martinioni, Minister of Science and Technology, Province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Argentine Islands, and Gustavo Ferreyra, Director of the Southern Scientific Research Centre, representing the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation in Argentina.

Following the example of Québec's Maritime Strategy, Argentina has adopted a strategic scientific research initiative, the Pampa Azul, which includes exploration, conservation, technological innovation and knowledge transfer components. Given the numerous similarities between the two approaches, both governments quickly grasped the advantages of establishing long-term collaboration in order to engage in exchanges on common sustainable maritime development challenges.

Québec and Argentina have collaborated for several years in the realm of marine research. Moreover, researchers and students from the Institut des sciences de la mer de Rimouski (ISMER), the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) and Argentina will publish a special joint issue in the international review Oceanography to unveil the findings of the research vessel Coriolis II in the San Jorge Gulf, Argentina, in 2014. The publication of the special issue is made possible through funding from the governments of Québec and Argentina and the ISMER-UQAR.

"Québec and Argentina have a great deal in common, both from the standpoint of the occupancy of the territory and the use of their marine resources. Above all, they share a determination to develop research and innovate in the sustainable maritime development sector, in particular by supporting the rapid development of marine biotechnology and the development of strategic knowledge on ecosystems. I am convinced that this beneficial partnership will intensify in the coming years."

Jean D'Amour, Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region

"Québec, through ISMER-UQAR, has for several years engaged in significant collaboration with Argentina. Researchers and students from Québec and Argentina have jointly conducted a major mission off the coast of Argentina and are elaborating projects in the realms of research and training. Such collaboration began in 2000 when major projects funded by the CRSNG and Argentina led, among other things, to a joint scientific mission, including wintering in Antarctica, by a vessel flying the Canadian flag. We firmly intend to consolidate such ties between Québec and Argentine stakeholders and to pool our strengths to establish major structuring, innovative initiatives in the maritime sector, from one hemisphere to the other."

Guillaume St-Onge, Director, Réseau Québec maritime

The Réseau Québec maritime

The Réseau Québec maritime encompasses all Québec universities, colleges and CEGEP technology transfer centres, research centres, and community, government and industrial stakeholders concerned by sustainable development in the maritime sector. Its mission is to federate and coordinate the key players in the research and innovation sector and contribute to the consolidation of Québec's status as an international hub in marine research (www.rqm.quebec).

SOURCE Cabinet du ministre délégué aux Affaires maritimes