As the world increases its reliance on aquaculture for seafood, while at the same time salmon farming regions worldwide suffer the negative environmental impacts of open net-cages, the implementation of closed containment technology is not only a sustainable solution, but a significant opportunity in green technology development.

 

Separating farmed fish from the natural environment alleviates the chronic and widely documented environmental impacts associated with open net-cage salmon farming practices. This includes disease transfer between farmed and wild fish, sea lice proliferation, fish escapes, fish waste and problems with predators. Developers of this technology also believe that antibiotics and other chemicals may eventually be eliminated from the production of contained fish. All of these benefits allow the potential eco-certification of this product which would meet demand for sustainable seafood products, while fetching a higher price on the market.

 

The investment opportunity in closed containment aquaculture is enormous. The transition to a sustainable aquaculture industry in Canada would not only provide long-term aquaculture employment in coastal communities and allow Canada to be at the forefront of green technology development in this sector – it would also provide the potential for a new trade sector and the export of green closed containment technology. As AgriMarine CEO Richard Buchanan said recently in the media, their operations in China exemplify Canada’s opportunity to increase business relations with the country – something Prime Minister Harper is aiming for as expressed during his recent visit to China.

 

However, wide-scale development of closed containment in Canada is not happening quickly enough to capitalize on these opportunities. Increased investment and support on the part of government is an essential requirement, as is the case with most emerging green technologies, to fully establish the industry. There have been repeated calls by BC’s regional governments, government-funded bodies such as the Pacific Salmon Forum, community groups, major buyers in the marketplace and concerned citizens for government to help fund closed containment aquaculture technology development. The world's largest salmon farming company, Marine Harvest, is also publicly supporting the establishment of a government fund to leverage investment in closed containment technology.

 

While AgriMarine’s operations in China are an exciting step forward in the development of closed containment technology, it’s time for Canada to capitalize on this opportunity at home. Citizens, conservationists, regional governments and industry alike are looking to the federal government to take the next critical step in helping to establish this new technology so that Canada may position itself as a world leader in sustainable aquaculture.