Why I support responsible fish farming in Canada

‘The
Election campaign promise to end ocean-based aquaculture is deeply concerning
because it is harmful. It sets the seafood industry back and, ultimately, it
could harm wild salmon.’

Commentary
By Chef Ned Bell

My name is Ned Bell, and I support
responsible fish farming.

As a father, a chef, an advocate and an
educator who has done his research I have come to support Canada’s fish
farmers. I also support fishermen and women and responsible wild capture
fisheries. I support the coastal and rural communities that rely on these
marine industries and provide us this important food. Most of all I support
Mother Nature.

Publicly supporting salmon farming can be
controversial. But, with broad knowledge gained from studying all sides of the
issue, I am sure in my decision to stand shoulder to shoulder with Canadian
fishermen and fish farmers, showing support every step of the way.

Years ago, I wasn’t sure about aquaculture,
so I set out to educate myself. My clear understanding comes from dozens of
visits to ocean and land-based fish farms around the world that are growing the
species we eat by the millions every year in our collective homes and
restaurants.  I’ve spent hundreds of
hours on salmon, shrimp, sablefish, sturgeon, trout, arctic char, halibut and
tilapia farms. I’ve toured their hatcheries and feed facilities, and met with
the farmers, scientists, academic experts, government officials and non-profit
organizations involved. I have listened intently and asked many questions.

Through that research, I have come to trust
the ocean farmers in Canada. Behind the farmers, I trust the regulations and
the provincial and federal Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries, as well as
the public service in these ministries. And I believe that through
collaboration, public accountability and continued investments in technology
and science, we will continue to improve as stewards of our ecosystems and
communities. We want to grow high quality, healthy protein without harming
Mother Nature, and we are capable of doing just that. In many places, we
already are.

Issues will always come up when farming
animals. I have found Canada’s aquaculture industry to be forthright,
forward-thinking and willing to relentlessly solve issues.

I have also become convinced that the only
way we will sustainably enjoy eating healthy fish into the future is through
both farming and wild fisheries, done responsibly.

Overfishing, climate change, drastic
habitat degradation, urban pollution and over-exploited resources are harming
healthy and resilient marine ecosystems, putting huge pressure on wild fish
populations here and around the world. Wild fisheries need public support,
effective regulation, transparency and consistent management. Wild fisheries
also need refuge from their biggest threat: rampant illegal, unreported and
unregulated (IUU) fishing.  Lastly wild
fisheries need consumers willing to pay a fair price for a variety of different
locally caught fish.

Fish farming can help with that, by
providing responsibly-raised fish we can eat along with selectively-caught
local wild seafood, thus reducing pressure from over-fishing.

Last year, half of globally consumed
seafood came from aquaculture. In 10 years that number will climb to upwards of
65 per cent. In Canada, we grow a lot of fish and seafood in farms, in water
and on land. It is imperative that all stakeholders work together to succeed.
Fish farmers and fishermen must thrive equally to ensure the future of their
families, their coastal communities, and the future of fish and seafood.

Unfortunately, here on the west coast boom and bust wild salmon returns, historic conflicts and campaigns of misinformation have led many to increasing polarisation and standoffs rather than dialogue to learn the full and current picture, including its bright spots.

It’s just not that simple. In an era of
intertwined crises in climate, food production, population growth, and human
and planetary health the conversation about aquaculture and wild fisheries
isn’t black and white. It’s extremely nuanced. We need to get beyond the “us-versus-them”
situation and understand we share the same communities and, really, all of us
are part of the problem and therefore potential problem-solvers.

To have a useful opinion and make good
choices, one must strive to be as informed as possible. There are organizations
out there to help with that. As a chef, I rely on a number of what I call Ocean
Guardians to help inform my choices around responsible fish and seafood.

Seafood Watch, Ocean Wise and the Marine
Stewardship Council (MSC) focus on chains of custody, data tracking and
traceability. BC salmon farmers are the world leader in Aquaculture Stewardship
Council (ASC) certifications, which ensure not only sustainability standards
but also a company’s responsibility towards their employees and the communities
and in which they farm.

These organizations are committed to
telling us which seafood we can responsibly consume, and which we should pass
by. BC’s salmon farmers are certified as sustainably providers – hard-won
designations.

The latest 2019 Election campaign promise
to end ocean-based aquaculture is deeply concerning because it is harmful. It
sets the seafood industry back and, ultimately, it could harm wild salmon.

There are always challenges raising animals
for consumption, but I know the large majority of our Canadian fish farmers are
doing everything they can to find solutions to their specific unique set of
challenges.  Thanks to heavy investment
of time, research and resources, fish farming has evolved and come long way in
the last decade. Aquaculture in Canada is an extremely progressive,
science-based, technology-focused industry. 
Aquaculture professionals are environmental stewards because they are
extremely conscious farmers committed to ensuring that wild stocks are not
harmed.

Rather than ill-informed political promises
we need real solutions.

We need to eat more nutrient dense
plant-based foods, with clean healthy protein as the garnish. Fish is ideal for
that, as long as it is sustainably caught or raised, and as local as possible.

Wild fish and aquaculture are among
humanity’s best opportunities to serve the world’s growing population a highly
nutritious food with a low ecological impact.

Eating more seafood makes sense because
increased seafood consumption equals better health.

Wild fish must not be pushed to the brink
of extinction in Canada – or globally – in this century. I believe in Mother
Nature, I believe we can regenerate, but it is simply not our right to take it
all. Responsible Canadian fish farming is part of the solution.

Ned Bell is a chef advocate, keynote
speaker, educator and founder of Chefs for Oceans. Bell’s interests and talents
have led him to his current roles as Ocean Wise Executive Chef, Culinary
Director of The Vancouver Club, Chef Ambassador for International Year of the
Salmon and author of best seller – Lure: Sustainable Seafood Recipes from the
West Coast.