Salmon Aquaculture in British Columbia

2003 Quick Facts  ( 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 )

• 23 companies
• 131 sites
• 2,400 hectares
• 900 direct on-farm jobs

1. Preliminary.

• British Columbia is the fourth largest producer of farmed salmon in the world after Norway, Chile and the United Kingdom.

• In terms of production shares Atlantic salmon (76%) and chinook (22%) are the predominant salmon species farmed in B.C. with coho (2%)  produced on a smaller scale.

• The industry has become increasingly integrated with hatcheries, grow-out, processing and marketing operations.

• Seventy seven per cent of B.C.'s farmed salmon was exported in 2003, 92 per cent of which was destined for the U.S. market.

• Farmed salmon exceeds the wild salmon sector in harvest quantity and value and in the wholesale value of processed products, partially because of declines in the commercial harvesting sector.

• Production is regionally based, primarily in North Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Sound and Campbell River areas.

• Ninety per cent of the jobs are located in communities outside of Victoria and Vancouver.

Links

• Salmon Aquaculture Development
• DFO Aquaculture Statistics

Updated: October 28, 2004