Aquaculture Fact Sheet:

Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants. Aquaculture has become a significant contributor to the national economy with aquaculture facilities existing in every Canadian province and territory.

Canada is an ideal place to have aquaculture farming due to its abundance of both salt and fresh water bodies. The availability of freshwater has allowed Canada’s inland provinces to take part in this industry, as well as those locations located on the east and west coasts. Aquaculture production reached 171 028 tonnes in 2002.

Salmon is the most commonly farmed fish in Canada, accounting for 66.7% of production. The Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick is where the most Atlantic salmon is cultured. On the coastlines of British Columbia, one can find both Pacific and Atlantic salmon being cultured. Most of Canada’s trout production is concentrated in Ontario, with trout having 3.4% of total production. Other cultured finfish in Canada include the Artic charr and codfish. Shellfish are also popular in Canada. Both the east and west coasts of Canada produce oysters, accounting for 8.7% of total production, while Prince Edward Island cultures mussels, which make up 15.8% of total production. Other shellfish species being culture in Canada include scallops and manila clams.

Two levels of government regulate the operations of the aquaculture industry in Canada. The provinces and territories have the responsibility for the majority of site approvals and for overseeing the industry’s day-to-day operations. The federal role involves such areas as research, technology transfer, training and development, access to financing and environmental sustainability relating to the industry.

In captivity, fish are either fed live or fresh food items (fish, algae, etc.) or compounded (artificial) nutrient dense dry feed diets. Different types of feeds, mainly distinguished by variations in pellet size, fat and protein content, are fed according to the life stage of the fish.

Did you know…

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world.
Canada is one of the world's key suppliers of farmed salmon, produced almost entirely in British Columbia and New Brunswick.
Rainbow trout are the number one trout fish farmed in Canada.
Shellfish farmers do not feed their stock. Shellfish are filter feeders that consume phytoplankton already in the water column.
More than 85% of Canada’s fish and seafood is exported abroad.

For more information:

Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association (NOAA)

Karen Tracey - Program Coordinator

Phone: (705) 368-1345

Email: noaa@manitoulin.net

Useful Links:

Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
Aquaculture Centre University of Guelph