Newfoundland and Labrador is playing a significant role in the 13th annual Laurentic Forum – a virtual gathering of experts from North Atlantic nations underway this week.

Don McNeill, a Newfoundlander now living in Donegal, Ireland is the project co-ordinator with this year’s forum, which includes Canada, Ireland, Norway and Iceland.

The forum is named after HMS Laurentic, a trans-Atlantic ocean liner which was sunk by German mines during WWI.

21 Newfoundlanders were among the 354 passengers and crew who died.

McNeill says the focus of the forum is to help develop economic opportunities and sustainability between the nations.

He says many coastal communities are looking for ways to sustain themselves with a downturn in the fishery.

He says funding programs are available through the European Union that can help to fund projects.

Keith Hutchings, the Managing Director of the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation was among the guest speakers today, outlining ongoing efforts in supporting the blue economy.