So how do we farm salmon in the future?
New study will look at the impact of land-based and ocean-based closed-containment salmon farms in British Columbia, as well as offshore aquaculture production systems.
By SeaWestNews
A new study to provide viable technology
options for salmon farming in British Columbia will play a significant role in
the evolution of the industry going forward, Jonathan Wilkinson Canada’s
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans said today.
The study on the State of Salmon Aquaculture
Technology in partnership with the Province of British Columbia and Sustainable
Development Technologies Canada (SDTC) will be conducted by Gardner-Pinfold
Consulting Inc. which will work with an appointed Advisory Committee.
The Advisory Committee, which will provide
overall guidance for the work, includes representatives from the B.C. First
Nations Fisheries Council, Tides Canada, the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association,
SDTC, the Province of BC and DFO.
The purpose of the study is to provide
viable technology options for salmon farming in British Columbia, with a
particular focus on technologies that reduce interactions between aquaculture
and the environment, and any potential impacts on wild salmon.
Areas of study will include land-based and
ocean-based closed-containment, as well as offshore aquaculture production
systems.
“British Columbians and all Canadians
want us to ensure the environmental sustainability of aquaculture operations
while concurrently taking full advantage of the economic opportunity that is
available,” said Wilkinson.
“This technology study will identify the
newest global developments in aquaculture technologies, which can potentially
enable improved environmental and economic performance.”
It is expected that the study will include:
- A brief overview and economic
analysis of existing and emerging technologies, including their state of
commercialization; - An analysis of the
environmental impacts of these technologies, - An analysis of how sensor
technologies and data could further address potential environmental impacts; - An analysis of the social
implications, including job creation and impacts on coastal/rural communities; - A financial assessment of
commercially available technologies, including an analysis of the main factors
influencing their financial performance; - An analysis of trade-offs
between environmental, economic and social impacts of the technologies
reviewed; and, - Recommendations to address
potential obstacles to adoption of each of the technologies reviewed.
“Sustainable aquaculture operations
support food security and jobs in coastal communities and finding the right
technology to do that will help the sector and employment opportunities in it
grow,” said B.C. Minister of Agriculture, Lana Popham.
“This study is part of the B.C.
government’s ongoing commitment to protect wild salmon, and develop sustainable
aquaculture operations that have the support of industry, indigenous and local
governments on the coast, and British Columbians all over the province. We’ve
had success working together, and we’re committed to working for more.”
Results from the study are expected to be
released to the public during the summer of 2019.
B.C.’s salmon farmers raise almost
three-quarters of the salmon harvested in the province each year on about 0.05
per cent of the coast. Farm-raised salmon is B.C.’s highest valued seafood
product, the province’s top agricultural export, and generates over
$1.5-billion towards the B.C. economy, resulting in over 6,600 jobs.
RELATED STORIES