East coast output on the rise

Aquaculture production in Canada’s easternmost province is increasing considerably year-on-year. 

Published Last updated

Last year, the final processing volume of the aquaculture industry in Newfoundland & Labrador (NFLD) increased by 145.9% compared to 2014 – mainly related to increased production of Atlantic salmon. The province's aquaculture production totaled 23,638 tonnes last year, representing a large increase relative to the 9,240 tonnes produced in 2014. The growth was attributable to increased salmonid production, particularly Atlantic salmon, and total salmonid production equaled 19,684 tonnes, worth $149 million.

Atlantic salmon and steelhead trout are the two major commercial salmonid species in the province, with a limited amount of Arctic char also produced. In 2015, there were approximately 87 commercial salmonid site licenses, covering a combined area of 2,402 hectares.

The blue mussel is the main commercial shellfish aquaculture species in the province. In 2015, there were approximately 51 commercial shellfish site licenses that covered a combined area of 4,090 hectares.

In 2015, the first commercial oyster sites were licensed in the province with commercial production anticipated in the next two to three years.