The We Wai Kai First Nation will be conducting fish habitat surveys to assess the feasibility of establishing a sablefish aquaculture farm.
The surveys are being supported with $144,200 from the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (CSRIF), a provincial and federal cost-shared program, as announced on Aug. 4.
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B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just looking at the idea down the road,B次元官网网址� said We Wai Kai Nation Chief Ronnie Chickite. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no guarantee that weB次元官网网址檙e going to do it, but weB次元官网网址檙e looking at potentially growing sablefish in one of the sites.B次元官网网址�
We Wai Kai acquired two fish pens about a decade ago, which could be used to house the fish. But they first must determine if the species is suitable locally B次元官网网址� both in terms of production and environmental impacts B次元官网网址� and then formulate a business plan.
Ultimately, it will be up to council to decide whether to pursue the initiative, said Chickite.
While Chickite did not speculate on the economic impact a sablefish operation could have on We Wai Kai Nation, there is considerable demand for the species.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a highly valued white fish and markets are good globally for it B次元官网网址� and the wild fish supply has been diminishing,B次元官网网址� said Terry Brooks, president of B.C.-based Golden Eagle Sable Fish, the only commercial-scale sablefish aquaculture producer.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an indigenous species in the water around here and fits very nicely within the environment.B次元官网网址�
Sablefish raised with marine net pens are ranked B次元官网网址榖est choiceB次元官网网址� under Monterey Bay AquariumB次元官网网址檚 Seafood Watch, assessing the sustainability of various types of seafood.
The companyB次元官网网址檚 two marine farm sites are located in Kyuquot Sound, in the Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 northwest (its hatchery is on Salt Spring Island). Brooks explained that sablefish farms are smaller and more localized than salmon aquaculture farms.
The surveys will be general benthic surveys as set by Department of Fisheries and Oceans criteria, Brooks explained.
B次元官网网址淚f you want to start net pen farming, this is what you have to do,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o theyB次元官网网址檙e laying the groundwork for that.B次元官网网址�
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