The Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association has received a Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence for its marketing strategy designed to promote the North’s fish-farming community.

Based in Little Current, the association advocates for fish farmers across the North, builds awareness of the industry and promotes farm-raised fish as a healthy protein. The association earned the award by developing a comprehensive communications and media strategy, including a new website that offers recipes and prep tips and a new branding logo and brochure.

“Receipt of this award sends out a strong message that fish farming can play an important role in the success of our rural Northern communities, the food processing sector and in the economy of Ontario,” Karen Tracey, the association’s executive director, said in a news release. “Our aquaculture industry is rich with creators, problem solvers, environmentalists, out-of-the-box thinkers, and risk takers—all coming together in an extraordinary mix of small and medium-sized businesses focused on providing a healthy and local food source, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.”

The association was one of 50 innovators to each receive $5,000 for their efforts. The award was presented at a Sept. 25 ceremony in Sudbury by Ted McMeekin, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs.

The NOAA represents fish farmers and those who provide services and supplies to the industry. Rainbow trout farming in Ontario provides for approximately 250 direct and indirect jobs, while contributing an estimated $60 million to the provincial economy each year.