Aquaculture

Worldwide, aquaculture is the fastest-growing sector in agri-food; more than 40 per cent of revenues from fish are from aquaculture. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts total aquaculture production to reach 35 to 40 million tonnes by 2011.

Aquaculture production is becoming increasingly important in Canada. In 2000, aquaculture industries produced 124,000 tonnes of fish and shellfish worth a record $611.6 million, and accounted for 10 per cent of the total Canadian production of fish and shellfish. The Canadian aquaculture industry is on pace to exceed $1.5 billion in sales in 2005.

In the midst of this growth, our research tackles a range of concerns that support the environmental and economic viability of the aquaculture industry. Our aquaculture research team is one of the most versatile in Canada, delivering practical and cost effective solutions. Our advanced research technologies facilities coupled with our expertise, allow for a multidisciplinary research approach.

As an integrated systems biology institute, we investigate aquatic life from the level of the genome to the whole organism. We also research value-added outcomes such as the harvesting of human health products from aquatic animals and plants.

We work to establish reliable and sustainable techniques and practices for aquaculture that will be adopted as global standards. For example, our Certified Reference Materials Program (CRMP) is the world’s only producer of many Certified Reference Materials for shellfish toxins. Used by analysts and customers in more than 80 countries, CRMP enables analysts to monitor seafood safety and environmental pollutants.

Our facilities include an array of high calibre labs at both our Oxford Street location and Marine Research Station, where a state-of-the-art pumping system makes seawater available on a year-round basis.