Aquaculture - Current Topics

With demand for seafood in North America alone expected to increase up to 40 per cent by 2010, it’s easy to see why aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production industries in the world. In Canada, the sector employs more than 14,000 people, and contributes more than $700 million annually to the national economy.

Essentially, aquaculture is the farming of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants in fresh, brackish or salt water. Most aquacultural crops are for human consumption, but they can also be used as bait fish, ornamental or aquarium fish, or for enhancing natural populations for commercial or sport fishing. Some farmed fish are even being raised for medical purposes.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which shares responsibility for aquaculture with other federal and provincial government agencies, has been a partner in this important new industry from the beginning, setting up the framework so aquaculture could be sustainable, both environmentally and economically. Responding to the public’s and industry’s needs, Fisheries and Oceans recently improved the management and regulatory framework through the Program for Sustainable Aquaculture, which is helping to ensure that the industry meets environmental and public safety regulations. The program also fosters research and development - keys to this fast-growing industry.

Fisheries and Oceans’ world-class aquaculture science program provides a sound base for innovation in the industry. Researchers from the Pacific Biological Station, in Nanaimo, and the West Vancouver Laboratory have been on the cutting edge in areas such as fish health, genetics, nutrition and biotechnology. Recent research has targeted new aquacultural species, such as lingcod, sablefish (blackcod) and Pacific halibut. Other efforts focus on better ways to raise clams, oysters, mussels and scallops cultured on the west coast, while researchers at the Experimental Mariculture Facility in Departure Bay investigate the best conditions for rearing farmed salmon and sablefish.

• Canada’s aquaculture industry operates under a complex series of regulations supervised by over 14 federal, provincial and municipal departments and agencies. These regulations are some of the strictest in the world for an agricultural activity to assure the protection of the marine environment. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Province of BC and the aquaculture industry collaborate closely to ensure that operating practices remain current.
• BC’s salmon farming industry employs approximately 3,000 people in full time, year round jobs either directly (on farms) or indirectly (in processing). Over 92% of the direct jobs are in coastal communities outside of greater Victoria and Vancouver, helping to diversify and stabilize local economies.
• What to do if you catch an Atlantic salmon? Keep the fish and report the capture by calling the Atlantic Salmon Watch Program, toll-free at 1-800-811-6010.