“It’s been blow after blow…But finally, there’s a spark. People are realising this industry creates jobs, feeds Canadians, and supports coastal communities.”
By Samantha McLeod
SeaWestNews
At a time when Canada’s salmon farming sector faces growing political headwinds, Emily Warren is riding a new wave effortlessly, one that is rooted in science, collaboration, and hope.
Recently named Young Professional of the Year at the 41st Annual General Meeting of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA), Warren is part of a generation reshaping how the industry is seen and how it speaks for itself.
“I can’t believe I won out of all of them,” said Warren, a licensing and development officer at Cermaq Canada. “It’s just so nice to be recognised in an industry where so much is happening all the time… It helps keep you motivated to keep going, for sure.”
With a background in marine biology and aquaculture, Warren brings both scientific grounding and hands-on fieldwork to her role. She started on a veterinary path, but discovered fish farming during university, and eventually moved to Vancouver Island to pursue it full time.
“It’s just always evolving and something new to learn every day,” she said. “That really draws young people in…they can see a future in it.”
And she’s not alone.
A recent province-wide survey commissioned by BCSFA found that 18–24-year-olds are the most supportive age group for salmon farming in BC. Seventy-five percent of them are familiar with the industry, and more than half see its economic and environmental value. After being exposed to factual messaging, their favourability jumped to 64% – a 15-point increase.
Warren sees this as a turning point.
“Young people are coming into this with degrees and diplomas,” she said. “Hopefully the public will start asking…why are all these smart people going into an industry they thought was bad?”
At Cermaq, Warren helps lead environmental compliance and licensing, work that’s rigorous, complex, and deeply misunderstood.
“We’re one of the most regulated food production industries in Canada,” she said. “People don’t realise the amount of benthic sampling, PRV testing, and thresholds we have to meet. If we go over, we can’t restock. That’s how strict it is.”
Still, headlines often focus on opposition, not oversight. Warren believes that silence from the industry has allowed misinformation to take root.
“For a long time, we just didn’t respond. And now we’re in a tough position,” she said. “We need more organisations, not just individuals using social media to push back and not with arguments but with facts.”
That’s where the Young Salmon Farmers of BC group comes in. Warren and her peers are turning to TikTok, Instagram, and video reels to bring transparency to salmon farming and connect with their own generation.
“We’re not always trying to change minds,” she said. “But if people can at least listen, that’s a step forward.”
That was reflected in the BCSFA survey which found that 18–24-year-olds not only buy more salmon than other age groups, but they’re also the only ones who prefer farm-raised to wild-caught. And they trust a wider range of sources, from scientists to sector leaders.
The aquaculture industry tends to attract younger workers, with many employees being under the age of 40. This demographic trend is crucial as it indicates the potential for innovation and sustainability within the sector, states the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The Young Salmon Farmers of BC said two-thirds of the BC salmon farming sector is under 35.
Warren believes this momentum also reflects a broader cultural shift, especially for women.
“There are so many women now in leadership roles,” she said. “It’s really amazing to be part of that.”
But she’s clear-eyed about the policy problems that continue to hold the industry back, particularly the fact that salmon farming still falls under Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
“DFO’s mandate is conservation,” she said. “You can’t support farming and conserve the ocean at the same time. It’s a conflict. We need to move under Agriculture Canada if we want to grow and innovate.”
Despite the regulatory gridlock and activist pressure, Warren sees signs of change, especially from local governments recognising salmon farming as a domestic food security solution.
“It’s been blow after blow,” she admitted. “But finally, there’s a spark. People are realising this industry creates jobs, feeds Canadians, and supports coastal communities.”
Her message to young people considering aquaculture?
“This is a tough time. But the people in this industry are still so passionate and positive. It can only go up from here.”