Ocean Frontier Institute project gets $25M donation from seafood baron John Risley

A Nova Scotia billionaire has given$25 million to a majorocean research project headquartered at Dalhousie University.

John Risley'scontribution was announced at a newsconference at Dalhousie Tuesday morning withTreasury Board president Scott Brison.Thefederal government will contribute $93.7 million to fundtheseven-year Ocean Frontier Institute project. In total,$220 million is being invested.

"Today's announcement will demonstrate to Canadians and to the world that in Canada science is back," Brison said. "Prime Minister Trudeaucommitted thatas ...a government we would elevate science and evidence-based decision making and we are fulfilling his commitment with action."

The Ocean Frontier Institute will bring together international scientists, students and industry to focus on issuessuch as climate change, reversing fish species collapseand evaluating the sustainability of aquaculture, the university said.

"What better place for this visionary investment than right here in Atlantic Canada," said Richard Florizone, president ofDalhousie University. "We are entirely up to this challenge."

Dalhousie will act as the headquarters, but will partner with Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador and the University of P.E.I.

Risleyco-founded Clearwater Seafoods 40 years ago. He also founded Columbus Communications.

"It is enormously important the community appreciate the extent to which the institutehas and will bring together so many partners across the Atlantic Canadian scene," Risleysaid in a statement.

The massive investment is unprecedented in Canada's ocean science sector and was welcome news to research students.

"It means that there will be opportunities for me as I continue my career,"said Ciara Willis, an undergradstudent at Dalhousie. "It will mean good opportunities in Canada and especially here in Atlantic Canada, where I would like to stay."