Daniel Stechey – SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Based in Cobourg, Ontario, Daniel Stechey established Canadian Aquaculture Systems Inc. in 1984 as a full-service consulting agency providing strategic advice for private ventures and governments. With a background in science (MSc), engineering (MEng) and business (MBA), Daniel is a Certified Management Consultant (www.cmc-canada.ca) with an extensive and multi-disciplinary skills set which, combined with his analytical and management expertise, are effective tools to enhance the competitiveness of CAS’ clientele.
From 1992-96, at the request of both Canada's aquaculture industry association and the Government of Canada, Daniel served as the first Director of Aquaculture Policy for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), where he was responsible for the development and delivery of policies, programs and services to facilitate the sustainable expansion of commercial aquaculture in Canada. Daniel was the principal architect of the Federal Aquaculture Development Strategy. From 2000 through 2004 he also served as a Special Advisor to Canada’s Commissioner for Aquaculture Development.
He is the author/co-author of more than 200 technical, economic, policy and design reports, journal articles and conference proceedings. The latter encompass all aspects of aquaculture design, development and management including:
- Environmentally sustainable aquaculture
- Technical & operational performance assessments
- Market & economic reviews
- Strategic planning and development
- Aboriginal economic development
- Best Management Practices
- Risk assessment / management and crop insurance programming
- Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program renewal
- Processing plant operational reviews
- Reviews to assess insured losses
- Feasibility assessments and business planning
W.D. (Bill) Robertson – SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Based in St Andrews, New Brunswick, Bill has been involved in the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Canada for over twenty five years. From 1988-95, he was the Manager, Fish Culture Operations for Connors Bros., Limited and from 1995-2005, he was the Director, East Coast Operations for Heritage Salmon Limited. Both companies were wholly-owned subsidiaries of George Weston Ltd, a publicly traded Canadian multinational (www.weston.ca). With full P&L responsibilities, he oversaw seafood production facilities and managed labour force accountabilities of over 500 staff in Canada and the USA.
In addition to having a background in business (MBA) and science (BSc), Bill is a Certified Management Consultant (www.cmc-canada.ca), a certified Project Management Professional (www.pmi.org) and Six Sigma Black Belt certified. He is the President of ReThink Inc., a boutique management consulting company (www.rethinkinc.ca) focused on providing value to its customers through the implementation of strategic initiatives from Needs Analysis and Diagnosis to Productivity Improvements.
From 2005 through 2013, Bill also served as the Executive Director and CEO of the Huntsman Marine Science Centre, a marine biology research and teaching facility (www.huntsmanmarine.ca).
Gerry Johnson – SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Dr. Johnson (DVM) is a Certified Veterinary Pathologist with more than three decades of experience regarding the diagnosis and remediation of diseases of farmed fish, molluscs and crustaceans. His primary expertise is in morphologic pathology with a specialization in the production-limiting problems associated with commercial aquaculture. In recent years, he has focused extensively on solutions for clients in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. In 1986, Dr. Johnson established the Fish Health Unit at the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island (AVC/UPEI) and gained international recognition in the design and function of the AVC Aquatic Animal Facility for fish disease. Today, AVC/UPEI is the leading veterinary institution for the teaching and diagnosis of fish diseases. Dr. Johnson is also a Principal Researcher at the UPEI Center for Marine and Aquatic Resources (CMAR).
Dr. Johnson has provided expert witness testimony and consultation for several complex legal and insurance adjustment cases involving terrestrial and aquatic animals.
As an instructor, researcher and diagnostician, Dr. Johnson has collaborated with professionals across many other disciplines to conduct in-depth investigations for pharmaceutical companies, industry associations, insurance adjusters, legal firms, governments, universities and private-sector clientele. He lectures domestically and internationally on health management in intensive aquaculture systems. Dr. Johnson is the author of more than 35 refereed journal articles, 3 textbook chapters, and scores of non-refereed publications, conference proceedings and technical reports.
Allan Castledine, PhD - SENIOR CONSULTANT
Allan Castledine has extensive experience in the design and implementation of aquaculture policy, programs and legislation with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. With post-graduate degrees in fish lipid and vitamin nutrition and feed production, Allan has considerable experience in the delivery of aquaculture training and extension in both fresh and marine waters. He has also worked on aquaculture initiatives in Malaysia, Brazil, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Since retiring from his position with the Government of British Columbia, Dr. Castledine has worked on aquaculture consulting projects with Canadian Aquaculture Systems Inc.
Christopher Sherk – SENIOR ADVISOR
Chris Sherk has practiced corporate / commercial and real estate law in Canada for over 28 years. He has served on the Board of Directors of numerous public and private organizations and facilitated the launch of several start-up companies. Having earned degrees in Science and Law as well as an MBA, Christopher draws upon a variety of skills in support of corporate clientele and their business enterprises.