Closed containment salmon farms promoted


The Freshwater Institute in West Virginia is the world’s leading research facility for RAS and their technical expertise is being made available to the ‘Namgis Closed Containment Project through Tides Canada.

A report by the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, tabled in the House of Commons last week, recommends developing closed containment salmon farming. The committee heard testimony from industry members and environmental groups. While the report notes the environmental impacts of net-pen aquaculture, it deems the evidence “inconclusive;” this stance contrasts with the Cohen Report’s statement that net-pen farms could inflict “serious or irreversible” harm to wild salmon.

Closed containment systems require large capital investments, but can reduce business risks by achieving higher grow rates, more efficient use of feed and protection from disease and bad weather.

The report recommends:

  • The federal government establish a university-based centre for excellence to maintain Canada’s technological advantage in the industry and expand use of such systems.
  • The government encourage economic growth through the development of aquaculture operations, including closed containment technologies.
  • The government encourage public and private financial support to develop and coommercialize closed containment technologies or other innovative aquaculture technologies.

Read full article at The Vancouver Sun.

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