More than 6,000 jobs provided by B.C. salmon farms
An industry snapshot commissioned by the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association and conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers in Vancouver shows a growing industry with CAD $ 450 million in sales in 2006, Production increased by 16% from 70,600 metric tonnes in 2005 to 82,000 metric tonnes in 2006. Wholesale value increased by 21% due to higher unit prices.Export prices were up 6% over 2005. The industry's contribution to the provincial GDP in 2006 was approximately CAD $ 160 million. The provincially appointed Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture hired a Vancouver-based consultant company to produce a report on the economic impact of salmon farming. A draft report to the Committee by MMK Consulting suggested that close to 7,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs could be attributede to salmon farming in B.C. After closed door meetings with the NDP dominated Committee, this number was reduced to 2,945.
