BC’s Blue Revolution with Jordan Frizzley

“What brought me to salmon farming was the excitement of being a part of sustainable global food production and having a career that would allow me to spend most of my time outdoors out on the water.”

By Samantha Bacchus McLeod
SeaWestNews

The newly unveiled Youth Council of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) is all about greening forward for sustainable aquaculture to feed Canada and the world. This strong group of young individuals, who are already making waves in aquaculture, will act as advisors for concepts brought forth by salmon farmers and as seafood ambassadors for BC. Over the next few months, SeaWestNews in a special series of Q and A presentations, will explore how members of BCSFA’s Youth Council play a role in British Columbia’s Blue Revolution. This segment on BC’s Blue Revolution features Jordan Frizzley, Salt Water Farm Technician, Mowi Canada West, member of the BCSFA Youth Council.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

“My grandfather settled in Campbell River in 1951, and this is where I was born and raised, so naturally I grew up with a great love of the sea and all sea-creatures.”

What drew you to the aquaculture industry?

“Growing up on Vancouver Island I got to experience the immense biological wealth of our BC coastal waters and that impressed upon me a passion for environmental stewardship. To that end, I completed a BSc. in Environmental Science through UNBC.”

What do you do for fun?

“When not working I enjoy being out on the water paddle-boarding or kayaking or just exploring nature on our many hiking trails.”

What is a day like for you in the salmon farming industry?

“What brought me to salmon farming was the excitement of being a part of sustainable global food production and having a career that would allow me to spend most of my time outdoors out on the water and now I get to work with the fish themselves on a daily basis. Most of my working days are spent caring for the fish and performing environmental monitoring.”

What do you think are the most crucial issues facing salmon farming in BC?

“The uncertainty that climate change brings to the world’s oceans is a frightening prospect. Changes in seawater temperature, acidification, planktonic distribution, current disruption, and migrating species are all real issues we have to contend with. Preparing for whatever environmental change may occur in the coming decades will be a daunting challenge and possibly the most crucial one facing the future of salmon farming.”

How do you see the future of fish, both farmed and wild, in BC?

“Wild salmon have always been a key part of British Columbia’s heritage and culture. I deeply want to see wild salmon protected so that our way of life is preserved. I believe that wild salmon cannot be looked upon to provide food for the populous on any large scale, not anymore. Wild species cannot be harvested at an industrial scale and still be sustainable. Which brings me to the point that farmed salmon provides a way to sustainably produce high-quality protein on a large scale. Additionally, salmon farming creates great economic opportunities for the people of BC while providing employment for many people living in rural communities…aquaculture is helping to keep our coastal communities intact.”

Your favorite seafood dish and why do you like it?

“My favourite seafood dish is alder-wood smoked salmon. I love it for its amazing taste and aroma, and because my grandfather used to make it in his back yard, in an old fridge no less.”