FIN-FISH FARMING IN BRITISH COLUMBA (2005)

 

Aquaculture is the fastest growing agri-food industry in the world.  The United Nations Fisheries and Agriculture Organization have estimated that global aquaculture production will outpace commercial fisheries landing by 2030.  In Canada, production has generally increased at 19% per annum.  However, here are serious challenges to continued growth of the aquaculture industry in Canada.  As a relatively new user of our aquatic resources, aquaculture in Canada is challenged by an out-dated regulatory regime, lack of adequate programming and issues of public confidence around environmental performance and food safety.

 

Aquaculture is a shared jurisdiction between the province and the federal government.  The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is the lead federal agency for aquaculture; other federal departments and agencies involved in the regulatory process include Health Canada, The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Transport Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Environment Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.  This mix of government agencies creates issues for the development of the aquaculture sector. 

 

Aquaculture is not recognized in the same light as terrestrial farming.  Aquaculture is water farming, however, none of the programs and services available to the land based farming sector are available to water farmers.

 

The Conference Board of Canada released a socio economic report in 2002 “Insights on Western Canada: A Socio-economic Report”, which concluded that without diversification into industries with high value added, our economy will take a significant downturn.  Specifically, the report highlights three challenges for Western Canada: first, the region needs to step up its performance in terms of innovation, second, we need to bring the growing population of young aboriginal people into the economy, and finally, we must address the depopulation of our rural communities

 

Aquaculture is uniquely situated to address each of these economic challenges currently facing BC.  Aquaculture is a research and development intensive industry.  It is mainly through advancements in technology that our industry leaps ahead.

 

BC’s aboriginal communities are already benefiting from the introduction of salmon farming in their communities.  Many salmon-producing companies have formed productive, lasting partnerships with aboriginal groups, including the graduates from North Island College aboriginal groups Salmon Farm technician program who have achieved success in the workplace. 

 

Finally, more than 90% of aquaculture jobs are in coastal and rural communities.  There is no reason to predict that will change in the future.  Aquaculture is and will continue to be an important employer in coastal BC.  Strategic expansion of the industry will only increase the contributions salmon farmers make to healthy coastal communities.

 

The fin-fish farming industry has been the subject of strongly divergent research and opinions, not all of which are based on legitimate and responsible research.  Incorrect and misleading information should not stop the further development and expansion of fin-fish farming in BC.

 

Salmon and other fin-fish farming is an economically and environmentally sustainable use of BC’s aquatic resource that has the potential to provide economic benefit for rural coastal communities, the citizens of BC and a nutritious, safe food for the local marketplace and for the world’s growing population.

 

THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS

 

That the provincial government:

 

1. fairly interpret and apply existing regulations as it pertains to salmon farming projects;

 

2. ensure that relevant regulations and programs be implemented to support the development and expansion of the aquaculture sector, and new programs be developed that recognize the unique features of this segment of Canada’s food production system; and

 

3. base regulation and expansion of the industry on legitimate and responsible research into the environmental impacts of water farming.