Why Canada grows the best salmon in the world

New report showcases the Canadian salmon farming sector as a global leader in sustainable aquaculture practices.

By SeaWestNews

The Canadian salmon farming industry, backed by its transparency commitments and performance milestones, positions the sector as a global leader in sustainable aquaculture practices, states a new report released today.

The inaugural Sustainability Report for the Canadian salmon farming sector by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) covers data from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022, highlighting the industry’s commitment to delivering the world’s best quality salmon.

“Our goal is to be nothing less than the most sustainable animal protein product in the world, and this report is a crucial tool in building that knowledge across Canada,” said Timothy Kennedy, President and CEO of CAIA.

“As the first annual report for the Canadian salmon farming sector’s national Performance Commitments, this document is the product of extensive collaboration across the sector,” he said.

The report outlines key actions and targets in seven identified priority areas: fish health, climate change, sustainable feed, food security, food traceability, ocean health, and public reporting.

Key highlights of the 2024 Sustainability Report show;

• Escapes being at historic lows demonstrating significant progress in ensuring containment at fish farms;
• Canadian farm-raised salmon having the lowest carbon footprint of all major farmed animal species, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
• 100% traceability of Canadian farm-raised salmon ensuring transparency and consumer confidence in the quality and origin of the product, and
• Renewed commitments to reduce fish mortality, sourcing 100% sustainable-certified fish feed, reducing stress and fish health and supporting the health of wild salmon populations.

“This is just the beginning,” said Kennedy.

“While we celebrate our achievements, we are acutely aware that there is always more work to be done. With the right regulatory environment and a commitment to innovation, we will continue to advance the sector’s performance, responding to challenges and ensuring a healthy, secure, and high-quality Canadian source of food for all Canadians,” he said.

According to the report, CAIA members generated over $4.86 billion in economic activity, $1.87 billion in GDP, and employed over 16,800 Canadians in 2022.

The Sustainability Report funded through the AgriAssurance Program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, will be published annually to provide multi-year performance data in the future, said CAIA in a statement.

The report comes as the Federal Liberal government, disregarding its own scientific experts and yielding to activist pressures, is currently advancing a   transition plan for ocean-based salmon farms in B.C.,  

Image of a farmed salmon courtesy of Cermaq Canada