The Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced that Keith Sullivan has been appointed as Deputy Minister in the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The appointment of such an industry-veteran further highlights the importance that Premier Wakeham’s government is placing on strengthening the province’s fishing and aquaculture industries and the commitment to working collaboratively with fish harvesters, workers, and producers.
Mr. Sullivan has spent his life and career in the fishery, and his leadership experience includes serving as President of the Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW-Unifor) union and most recently Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA). He also served as Vice-Chair of the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters Federation and as a Director with One Ocean, Canadian Center for Fisheries Innovation, Unifor, Lobster Council of Canada, Groundfish Industry Development Council and the Marine Institute Advisory Board.
Mr. Sullivan graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and completed a post graduate diploma in Sustainable Aquaculture at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University.
The Provincial Government created a new standalone Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture to give this vital sector the focused leadership it deserves. During the transition, Jamie Chippett served as Acting Deputy Minister for the new standalone department, providing steady leadership for staff and stakeholders while recruitment for a new Deputy Minister was undertaken. As he continues now in his role as Deputy Minister of the Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, we want to sincerely thank him for his professionalism, dedication, and outstanding service during the transition to the new Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture.
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“From his days growing up on the Southern Shore, to representing fish harvesters and plant workers with the FFAW, to his most recent role as Executive Director of the Aquaculture Industry Association, Keith Sullivan has dedicated his career to Newfoundland and Labrador’s fishery. He understands the industry, cares deeply about the people who depend on it, and champions the communities it supports. Having him as a key part of our team reflects our government’s strong commitment to backing both the fishing and aquaculture sectors.”
Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
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