Exhibition dives into history, Innovations and challenges of aquaculture

Aquaculture: Farming the Waters is a new exhibition at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

By Fabian Dawson
SeaWestNews

The past, present and future of aquaculture in Canada is being featured in a new exhibition that explores the world of farming fish, shellfish, and seaweed in the country’s oceans, lakes, and on land.

The one-of-kind exhibition at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum called  Aquaculture: Farming the Waters will highlight how Indigenous peoples have practiced aquaculture over millennia, and explore how it has evolved in Canada.

Attendees will also be able to meet Canadian seafood farmers and learn about the technologies they’re using to produce kelp, oysters, and salmon.

“This long-term exhibition highlights how Canadian innovations, past and present, are a critical component to ensuring a viable future for aquaculture,” said Kerry-Leigh Burchill, Director General, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum in Ottawa.

It will remain on display throughout the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).

“The exhibition dives into some of the challenges facing aquaculture, along with potential solutions. Canada continues to be a leader in aquaculture, and innovation is key to ensuring the environmental sustainability of this important food sector,” said Burchill.

“Canada’s waters are central to food production. As part of our commitment to working in partnership with Indigenous communities across Canada, this exhibition also highlights how Indigenous aquatic farming methods have ensured sustainability for thousands of years,” said Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard

The exhibition comes at a time when the Federal Government works on a transition plan to move away from open-net salmon farming on Canada’s west coast.

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) said that 97 percent of salmon produced in Canada is farm-raised, which is key to sustainably meeting the growing demand for Canadian salmon, while at the same time reducing pressure on limited wild stocks.

Salmon farming in Canada is highly regulated, achieves third-party environmental certification standards, creates long-term economic growth for rural, coastal, Indigenous, and non-Indigenous communities, employs 14,500 Canadians, and generates over $4 billion in economic activity annually, said CAIA.

“This is a great new exhibit in Ottawa that allows Canadians, especially children to get a glimpse into the world of seafood farming,” said Tim Kennedy, president, and CEO of CAIA.

 “It’s important that this exhibit has been launched to continue the ongoing efforts to educate the public about this critical current and future food supply,” he said.

Salmon swims with the Aquaculture: Farming the Waters exhibition branding in the background. (CNW Group/Ingenium)