Canadian seafood farmers ask ministers for bold action to grow 'flatlined' sector
Science-based decisions and reversal of BC net pen ban top list of demands
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has joined finfish and shellfish farming organisations in calling for a re-set for aquaculture in Canada.
The groups are making four key demands in an open letter to federal and provincial agriculture and fisheries ministers following the re-election of a Liberal federal government under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, a former banker who has promised to be more business-focused than predecessor Justin Trudeau.
The demands are that:
- Science must be re-established as foundational for aquaculture development.
- The impending ban on open net pens in British Columbia must be rescinded
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) must be the federal aquaculture champion
- Shellfish sector management and risk supports must be modernised
“For over 20 years Canada has flatlined in aquaculture production growth while using only a small fragment of our potential. We need a new vision and government leadership to support us to the next level of production and excellence in aquaculture production. You are the leaders that can and must be bold to achieve this,” write the aquaculture organisations.
Objective advice
On the issue of science, they say that a re-commitment to objective scientific advice as the foundation for policy decisions is necessary.
The request comes against a background of federal government-ordered salmon farm closures in British Columbia despite evidence from its own scientists that the sector poses no more than a minimal risk to migrating Pacific salmon smolts.
“All human activity has some degree of environmental risk, and there is no such thing as zero risk. Putting off economic development risks the health of people, families and communities. Governments must be clear on acceptable levels of environmental risk to make predictable and reasonable decisions for project development,” says the letter.
Irresponsible ban
The groups say the 2024 federal decision to ban salmon farming net pens in BC by 2029 is scientifically, economically and technologically irresponsible.
“It has cast an investment chill on all of Canada and we are seeing its negative influence around the world. As salmon farming investment decisions in BC for 2029 are approaching quickly, the ban must be removed urgently in favour of a clear performance-based pathway that establishes stabilisation, future growth and attracts investment in innovation and new technologies.”
DFO 'not a growth leader'
The fish and shellfish farmers believe Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada should replace the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) as the lead government body for aquaculture.
“DFO is a regulator and habitat protector. It is not equipped to support a modern, growth-oriented farming sector. It is time for a change. AAFC must be named the lead federal department for sector development, while DFO and CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) continue to be regulators of the sector. Aquaculture must finally be included in federal legislation as a farming activity consistent with international definitions.”
Outdated shellfish rules
The shellfish aquaculture sector holds significant economic, environmental, and food security potential across Canada, states the letter, but its growth is constrained by outdated federal oversight and the sector’s exclusion from essential risk management tools available to other forms of food production.
“A modernised approach is needed - one that ensures effective, coordinated delivery of public health protections while also enabling access to government-industry programmes that provide stability and resilience for producers,” say the aquaculture groups.
“To move this forward, we request federal support for a pilot crop insurance programme for shellfish aquaculture in Prince Edward Island, with the goal of informing a national approach to business risk management programme access for shellfish farmers in all producing provinces.”
The letter is signed by the heads of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance, CFA, NL Aquaculture Industry Association, PEI Aquaculture Association, Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, Ontario Aquaculture Association, BC Salmon Farmers Association, and BC Shellfish Growers Association.
