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First Nations' totem art in British Columbia depicting a man with salmon. Representatives from the Canadian First Nations participated in the Vancouver workshop toward the goal of developing a more sustainable salmon industry for the region.

Serious environmental problems from traditional forms of marine finfish aquaculture — especially salmon aquaculture — are well-documented. The use of “net pens” in coastal areas around the world have resulted in local pollution, spread of disease and parasites, and escapement of non-native species. These problems are especially evident in the fjords of British Columbia where dozens of large-scale Atlantic Salmon farms have led to public outcry following the publication of peer-reviewed scientific papers demonstrating that nearby wild salmon populations are becoming infected with “sea lice,” (small parasitic crustaceans) from the captive salmon.

On April 26 and 27, 2010, Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Coastal Studies partnered with Tides Canada and the SOS Marine Conservation Foundation to host a workshop to explore the viability of land-based closed-containment recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Over 60 participants from industry, government, investors, academia, First Nations, and environmental and conservation foundations (including 1planet1ocean, long an advocate for RAS or “next-generation” aquaculture systems) came together to examine the current status closed-containment aquaculture, discuss potential barriers to creating this new growth industry in British Columbia (B.C.) and develop an action plan to aid in moving this industry forward. There is now consensus that it is time to explore this technology further as a mechanism to establish B.C. as a leader in creating a globally renowned, stable and viable aquaculture industry. Already, major Canada food retailer Overwaitea, a participant in the workshop, is sourcing salmon from a small closed-containment system for Coho Salmon in Washington State and indicated during the workshop that it would purchase much more if there were a supply.

A report just released by Canada’s SOS Marine Conservation Foundation concludes that land-based, closed-containment RAS for growing salmon in B.C. would be profitable and could sustain an aquaculture industry that is both sustainable and profitable. RAS systems recirculate their water and have no contact with natural water bodies or wild fish populations and therefore do not create problems of disease, parasites (sea lice) or escapement typical of traditional in-water net pen fish farming. The report demonstrates that closed containment systems can be made even more profitable by growing hydroponic vegetables using excess nitrogen waste from the fish.

On June 7, 2010, Tides Canada, in collaboration with Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Coastal Studies, will be hosting an invitation-only educational workshop (see details below) designed for socially responsible investors to learn more about the technical and economic feasibility of land-based closed-containment salmon aquaculture, the opportunities and challenges, and the initiatives underway to demonstrate this new technology. In addition, input from the investment community is sought to better identify what is required to bring investors together to move this industry forward at a commercial scale.

Learn More:

SOS Marine Conservation Foundation Report: Technologies for Viable Salmon Aquaculture – An Examination of Land-Based Closed Containment Aquaculture by Dr. Andrew S. Wright

Vancouver Sun: Fish Farms Should Be On Land

CBC Radio (Audio) : Dr. Andrew Wright interviewed on BC Almanac (12 May 2010)

Next-Generation Aquaculture: The Future of Fishing on Planet Earth

WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT The Technical and Economic Feasibility of Closed-Containment Salmon Aquaculture: An Educational Workshop for Socially-Responsible Investors June 7, 2010 Vancouver, British Columbia Request an Invitation and Meeting Agenda Invest in Building British Columbia’s New Sustainable Aquaculture Industry Tides Canada, in collaboration with Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Coastal Studies, is hosting an invitation-only educational workshop designed for socially-responsible investors to learn more about the technical and economic feasibility of land-based closed-containment salmon aquaculture, the opportunities and challenges, and the initiatives underway to demonstrate this new technology. Contact Us for More Information

On Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 11:00 AM, 1planet1ocean president Dr. David E. Guggenheim will join a panel discussion following the Washington, DC premiere of the new documentary, Farmed Salmon Exposed: The Global Reach of the Norwegian Salmon Farming Industry, produced by the Pure Salmon Campaign. The 20-minute film illustrates the major environmental problems and impact of global salmon farming industry operations in Canada, Chile, Ireland, Norway, and Scotland.

A panel discussion immediately follows the film, including the following panelists:

• Chef Barton Seaver: Washington, DC chef, writer speaker, advocate – www.bartonseaver.org
• Marianne Cufone: Fish Campaign Director, Food and Water Watch
• Dr. David E. Guggenheim: President, 1planet1ocean, a project of The Ocean Foundation
• Chilean Enrique Yuri: Former employee of the Chilean salmon farming industry

When: Thursday, November 12th at 11:00 AM (lunch will be served)
Where: E Street Cinema, 555 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

RSVP for this event by Tuesday November 10th to Sam Haltiwanger at Shaltiwanger@pewtrusts.org or 202-887-1353.

Please feel free to forward this invite to your members and local networks.

PREVIEW

The Pure Salmon Campaign, is a global project with partners in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Chile, has organized one week each fall to expose the problems with the farmed salmon industry. This year, the Global Week of Action runs from November 9 – 13, 2009. As a coalition member, the Pew Environment Group joins other organizations this year in calling on industry leaders to adopt more sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices.