With the calendar changing from 2022 to 2023, the future of the aquaculture industry off the coast of British Columbia faces some murky waters going forward.
In 2019, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) released the governmentB次元官网网址檚 commitment to shifting strategy toward a B次元官网网址渂lue economyB次元官网网址�, with the federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 plan to phase out open pen fish farms by 2025 coming just a year later.
After a federal court overturned the decision this past spring, DFO announced the shift to a transition plan away from open net fish farms, with the framework to be announced in the coming spring.
In a statement, the BCFSA (BC Salmon Farmers Association) said they are committed to a B次元官网网址淔irst Nations-led BC salmon farming sector founded upon an inclusive, ecosystem approach to management that progressively enhances the sectorB次元官网网址檚 environmental performance,B次元官网网址� adding that B次元官网网址渨e have been transitioning for decades through the development of cutting edge technologies and innovations to continuously reduce our impact on the environment.B次元官网网址�
Technologies, which could include the transition to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) B次元官网网址� a process where the water is recycled and reused after mechanical and biological filtration, with metabolites and other matter removed. However, whether the move from coast to land happens comes down to one important thing: the cost.
B次元官网网址淭he transition to recirculating aquaculture systems on landB次元官网网址檚 financial viability has not been proven,B次元官网网址� says BCFSA Executive Director Brian Kingzett.
B次元官网网址淭hese systems are more efficient with smaller fish and hybrid systems where fish are grown in RAS to a large size before being moved to the ocean may be part of the solution.B次元官网网址�
Gold Fish Aquafarms, which just received a licence from the DFO in November, is overseeing a nearly $100 million project involving RAS systems in Gold River. President and CEO Rob Walker says he has been overseeing the planning for the project for three years.
After it breaks ground in 2023, it will be 18 months before the project will be fully functional.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e using a mixed call raceway. ItB次元官网网址檚 a long trough, water goes in one way and out the other. Water is recirculated, sent to the treatment so it gets cleaned.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l hatch the eggs, to the nursery, eventually to juvenile raceways, then eventually to harvest size.B次元官网网址�
Building on a former pulp and paper mill site, Walker says it has saved about 15 per cent of start up costs. Walker says that this transition, although it may be daunting, will be vital to the future of both the ocean and the industry.
B次元官网网址淭he big companies have been doing research for many years for alternatives,B次元官网网址� said Walker. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very capital intensive and thatB次元官网网址檚 a huge challenge. The federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 mandate is to get it out of the water and to protect the ocean.
B次元官网网址淭he ocean isnB次元官网网址檛 in good shape, and itB次元官网网址檚 unpredictable. You never know when the next storm or algae blooms. While there are still risks with this, the risk is manageable.B次元官网网址�
