FINFISH SPECIES
SABLEFISH or BLACK COD
Introduction
Sablefish, also known as black cod, is a marine, cold-water fish that is currently being developed as a commercial aquaculture species in British Columbia. Sablefish are native to the Pacific Ocean and are one of the most valuable species
harvested commercially on Canada’s west coast. The primary export market for sablefish is Japan, however sales to Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States have recently increased making it an attractive species to develop through aquaculture.
Biology
Sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria, is a distinctive species combining dark skin with pearly white flesh. Sablefish also has a smooth, luxurious texture and rich, velvety taste, the result of its high oil content. Mild, sweet flavour and a delicate white flake give sablefish a unique appeal sought after by chefs and consumers.
Background
There is division between stakeholders in British Columbia regarding the development of a sablefish aquaculture sector. Those who oppose the development claim that it will have a negative, irreversible effect in the global marketplace and the marine environment. Those who support the development claim market potential will grow because of the increased supply and, when managed properly to minimize environmental effects, sablefish farming is sustainable.
Through the sustainable development of Canada’s fishery and aquaculture resources, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) ensures a balance between conservation and economic development. DFO supports the development of new aquaculture species, such as sablefish, cod and halibut, provided they are carried out in an environmentally responsible manner. Much of the research into the development of sablefish as an aquaculture species was carried out at DFO’s Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo.
In 2004, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) commissioned the
Centre for Coastal Health at Malaspina University College to conduct a Sablefish Aquaculture Risk Assessment Based on the National Codes of Introductions and Transfers. The
National Codes of Introductions and Transfers is one piece of federal legislation used to manage the aquaculture industry in Canada. The purpose of the code is to establish the scientific criteria for the intentional introduction and/or transfer of all live aquatic organisms. This risk assessment is serving as a foundation from which to conduct rigorous reviews of sablefish farms under the
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
(CEAA).
The study examined several environmental indicators: escapes, genetic interaction and disease/parasitic transfer. The authors concluded that, "the impacts [of] sablefish farming at its current and four year predicted levels of production will be less than what occurs for salmon farming." The authors did caution that there are still many uncertainties within their scientific analysis and recommended that DFO continue to conduct scientific research with respect to sablefish aquaculture. The department will use the information from the risk assessment to assist in conducting CEAA reviews of farms that are licensed to raise sablefish. Currently in BC there are 47 such farms although to date only one has actually been rearing these unique fish.
Aquaculture is managed jointly by the federal and provincial governments. It should be noted that DFO provides advice to the BC government based on the CEAA review. The province has the authority to issue or deny aquaculture license applications for all finfish and shellfish farms in BC, not DFO.
For More Information
British Columbia Sablefish Aquaculture Risk Assessment Based on the National Codes of Introductions and Transfers (2004)
- This risk assessment concluded that the potential impacts of sablefish farming at current and predicted production levels will be less than what occurs for salmon farming. This is mostly due to the smaller scale of sablefish farming compared to salmon farming.
Sablefish broodstock development (study funded from DFO’s
Aquaculture Collaborative Research Development Program)
- The research will be carried out on sablefish from three different origins, adults captured off the west coast of Vancouver Island, adults captured in mainland inlets (Jervis) and fish which were captured as juveniles and have since been grown out in cages on a commercial farm.
Feeding Sablefish a Balanced and Cost Effective Diet Using Plant Based Ingredients
- This fact sheet was developed by
AquaNet.
Short-term holding of wild adult sablefish in a SEA System II™ floating bag (2001)
- Several research and practical initiatives are underway in BC to examine sablefish for commercial-scale aquaculture. This study examined the utility of floating bag and pump system (SEA System II™) developed by Future SEA Technologies Inc. This system provided the opportunity for researchers to control temperature, salinity, water flow, dissolved oxygen and ambient light levels, as well as reducing exposure to predators and enabling the capture of all major effluents.
Halibut and Sablefish Aquaculture in BC: Economic Potential
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/fisheries/Finfish/AlternateSpecies.pdf
- Report produced by the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 2001.
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