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Charting a Course for a Sustainable Seaplant Industry on Prince Edward Island
| News
The Institute of Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island is hosting the Constance MacFarlane Seaplant Symposium, from September 24 to 27, at the Haviland Club in Charlottetown.
Named in honour of famous Island marine botanist Dr. Constance MacFarlane (1904 to 2000), the symposium will look at Prince Edward Island’s Irish moss industry, report on regional research and consider opportunities for new business development. Several events are open to the public.
On Wednesday, September 24, starting at 7 p.m., the public is invited to a celebration of MacFarlane’s life and work. This will be followed by a presentation from Dr. Alan Critchley on “Sex, Slime and Seaweeds! An exposé of Irish Moss and other seaplant aphrodisiacs.”
Starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, there will be an exhibition of products made from seaplants--from edibles and compost, to health and beauty products and undergarments. Also on Thursday at 7 p.m., Dianne Bernard, known as “the Seaweed Lady,” of Vancouver Island, will give a lecture called “Developing Seaplant Enterprises in BC.” This will be followed by a panel discussion on opportunities for women in the seaplant industries.
The public is also invited to tour School Street House at 54 Walthen St., MacFarlane’s childhood home, on Saturday, September 27, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors can view artifacts and NFB films from her life and times, and see her childhood graffiti on the wall.
MacFarlane’s life work focused on fostering the seaweed industry, especially research and development of Irish moss. The symposium will reflect on this history, take stock of current research and commercial developments in Atlantic Canada and the world, and look to the promising future for Atlantic seaplant products--whether they be in the realm of food processing, culinary arts, medicine, handcrafts, ecotourism, agriculture or cosmetics.
Dr. Irené Novaczek, Director of the Institute of Island Studies, says, “Now is a critical time for the Island’s Irish moss industry, which is struggling to survive. We have invited Canadian and international speakers to discuss how sea plants can be used in a wide range of value-added products and services that could be developed here by entrepreneurs who are open to the emerging opportunities.”
The Haviland Club is located on the corner of Rochford and Water Streets in downtown Charlottetown. For information, contact Novaczek at (902) 566-0386 or inovaczek@upei.ca.
Named in honour of famous Island marine botanist Dr. Constance MacFarlane (1904 to 2000), the symposium will look at Prince Edward Island’s Irish moss industry, report on regional research and consider opportunities for new business development. Several events are open to the public.
On Wednesday, September 24, starting at 7 p.m., the public is invited to a celebration of MacFarlane’s life and work. This will be followed by a presentation from Dr. Alan Critchley on “Sex, Slime and Seaweeds! An exposé of Irish Moss and other seaplant aphrodisiacs.”
Starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, there will be an exhibition of products made from seaplants--from edibles and compost, to health and beauty products and undergarments. Also on Thursday at 7 p.m., Dianne Bernard, known as “the Seaweed Lady,” of Vancouver Island, will give a lecture called “Developing Seaplant Enterprises in BC.” This will be followed by a panel discussion on opportunities for women in the seaplant industries.
The public is also invited to tour School Street House at 54 Walthen St., MacFarlane’s childhood home, on Saturday, September 27, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Visitors can view artifacts and NFB films from her life and times, and see her childhood graffiti on the wall.
MacFarlane’s life work focused on fostering the seaweed industry, especially research and development of Irish moss. The symposium will reflect on this history, take stock of current research and commercial developments in Atlantic Canada and the world, and look to the promising future for Atlantic seaplant products--whether they be in the realm of food processing, culinary arts, medicine, handcrafts, ecotourism, agriculture or cosmetics.
Dr. Irené Novaczek, Director of the Institute of Island Studies, says, “Now is a critical time for the Island’s Irish moss industry, which is struggling to survive. We have invited Canadian and international speakers to discuss how sea plants can be used in a wide range of value-added products and services that could be developed here by entrepreneurs who are open to the emerging opportunities.”
The Haviland Club is located on the corner of Rochford and Water Streets in downtown Charlottetown. For information, contact Novaczek at (902) 566-0386 or inovaczek@upei.ca.
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