Dr. Steve Backman received his Diploma of Agricultural Science from Nova Scotia Agricultural College in 1982 and then attended the University of Guelph Ontario Veterinary College where he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Backman began his career in Aquaculture as Research and Extension Officer, working under a project for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food to convert Tobacco farms to sustainable forms of Food production. From there, he took the opportunity to return to the Maritimes where he has held several positions for a multinational Aquaculture Company. Dr. Backman has been a member of the NB Fish Health Technical Committee and the NB Fish Health Policy Committee since 1996. Dr. Backman is accredited by the USDA and serves as the IACUC veterinarian for the USDA Aquaculture Research Service in Maine. In 2003, he began Magellan Aqua Farms in Passamaquoddy Bay employing sustainable techniques for the culture of bivalves and plants.