Aquaculture in Canada

Aquaculture is the farming of fish, shellfish or aquatic plants in either fresh or saltwater, or both.[1] The farmed animals or plants are cared for under a controlled environment to ensure optimum growth, success and profit. When they have reached an appropriate size (often once they reach maturity), they are harvested, processed, and shipped to markets to be sold.[2] Aquaculture is practiced all over the world and is extremely popular in countries such as China, where population is high and fish is a staple part of their everyday diet.

Atlantic salmon holding pens in New Brunswick.

Aquaculture in Canada plays a prominent role in Canada's ecological, social and economic stage.[3] With Canada having the world's longest coastline, as well as the world's largest freshwater system and tidal range,[4] aquaculture is an obvious choice for Canada. The vast range of aquatic organisms farmed in Canadian aquaculture production is beneficial to the industry's attempt to implement ecologically sustainable methods within the major aquaculture stocks of Atlantic Salmon, Arctic Char, Mussels, oysters and Rainbow Trout.[5]

A recent review of literature related to aquaculture in Canada concludes that there is a need for a national strategic plan to increase aquaculture production and to simplify the regulatory framework to reduce uncertainties and delays that have limited growth in the sector, while fostering greater involvement of First Nation communities.[6]

  1. ^ Robson, P.A. Salmon Farming - the whole story, 2006
  2. ^ Matthews, R, "Aquaculture in Canada" 2006
  3. ^ Government of Canada - Fisheries & Oceans Canada Archived March 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "Canadian Aquaculture - Industry Alliance". Archived from the original on 2011-05-30. Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  5. ^ "Aquaculture Statistics, Facts and Figures". Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
  6. ^ J., Noakes, Donald (2018). "Oceans of opportunity: A review of Canadian aquaculture [post-print]". Marine Economics and Management. doi:10.25316/ir-1453. ISSN 2516-158X.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)