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ACROSS CANADA
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FINFISH SPECIES
ATLANTIC SALMON
Introduction
Atlantic salmon is the most recognizable and popular farmed salmon species in Canada and around the world. In 2003, 105,050 tonnes of Atlantic salmon were produced in Canada valued at CAD $434 million. Atlantic salmon is farmed in North America, South America, Australia and Europe. Norway leads the world in terms of farmed salmon production. By comparison, Canada ranks fourth. In Canada, Atlantic salmon are raised in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Basic description
Atlantic salmon, or
Salmo salar, has a long, thin body, a large mouth, fairly large scales, and a fleshy adipose fin on the back just in front of the tail fin. It is a silver-skinned fish with distinct dark blue-green, cross-like spots over the body and head, and above the lateral line. The underside of the fish is nearly all white and its flesh colour ranges from pink to deep orange. The flesh of farmed Atlantic salmon is firm and has a large moist flake. It has a mild flavour compared to other salmon species.
Background
Salmon are an anadromous species, meaning they spend a portion of their life in fresh water and a portion in seawater. The freshwater phase occurs when migrating salmon return to their rivers of origin to spawn. After hatching, juvenile salmon remain in the river until they undergo physiological and behavioral change, a process called smoltification, which prepares them (smolts) for their life at sea. As such, salmon farming requires both freshwater and saltwater operations. Because of the efficiencies of farm husbandry practices, the farming process accelerates their life cycle.
Salmon farming began in Canada in the 1970s as entrepreneurs sought, and discovered, areas similar to the deep waters and protected bays of the Norwegian fjords. On Canada’s East Coast, salmon aquaculture began in New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy where the flushing action of twice-a-day 28-foot tides coupled with pristine waters and protected sites made for near perfect conditions. New Brunswick salmon farms have become one of the most important parts of the province’s $800 million seafood industry. Production in 2003 exceeded 35,000 tonnes. The 98 salmon farms and associated enterprises employ over 2,000 people.
On the West Coast, salmon farming (starting with chinook, coho and sockeye) was first established around the town of Sechelt, British Columbia (BC) on the Sunshine Coast. While the New Brunswick industry has successfully developed around the Bay of Fundy, the BC industry had such problems with water temperature and algae blooms that by the mid 1980s many companies had left the Sunshine Coast altogether, relocating to remote, northern sites on Vancouver Island. At about the same time, BC farmers began culturing Atlantic salmon in an effort to capitalize on consumer demand. There are 131 Atlantic salmon sites in British Columbia. BC production of Atlantic salmon exceeded 55 tonnes for a farm-gate value of $213 million in 2003. Atlantic salmon accounts for 76 per cent of
BC's farmed-salmon production.
For more information
Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Research at St. Andrew’s Biological Station, a Fisheries and Oceans Canada scientific research facility
Farmed Atlantic Salmon - fact sheet produced by BC Seafood Online
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