The Association of Seafood Producers (ASP) congratulates its Executive Director, Derek Butler, on receiving the Economic Developer of the Year Award from the Economic Developers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Derek has gone above and beyond in his role as Executive Director of ASP in these challenging times,” says Greg Viscount, Board Chair, ASP. “His leadership is instrumental in leading ASP through transformational change, from ASP’s growth in membership and staff, to meeting the obstacles that came with COVID-19, on top of our daily operations including collective bargaining. We’re grateful for the work he does and continues to do on a daily basis.”
In 2021, ASP expanded membership and staff, and worked diligently towards building its’ profile and the profile of the seafood producing sector within the province, across the country and internationally. ASP helped members meet the challenges of COVID-19 and maintain operations through shared best-practices related to safety. Members were able to keep employees safe while delivering high-quality wild protein to the world, while maintaining a strong market presence, by retooling to target best market opportunities with the declining foodservice demand, and this year, will allow the industry to make its highest contribution ever to GDP.
Viscount acknowledges that the ongoing commitment of Member-Producers and the Association staff are key to ASP’s strength, and Derek has worked effectively in bringing those commitments and resources together to enhance the industry in challenging times.
Newfoundland and Labrador seafood represents a quarter of Canada’s seafood and adds well over $1 billion annually to the provincial economy, year after year. This year, ASP has worked to assist members such that the industry will make a historically high economic contribution to the province this year.