With the calendar changing from 2022 to 2023, the future of the aquaculture industry off the coast of British Columbia faces some murky waters going forward.
In 2019, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) released the government91裸聊视频檚 commitment to shifting strategy toward a 91裸聊视频渂lue economy91裸聊视频�, with the federal government91裸聊视频檚 plan to phase out open pen fish farms by 2025 coming just a year later.
After a federal court overturned the decision this past spring, DFO announced the shift to a transition plan away from open net fish farms, with the framework to be announced in the coming spring.
In a statement, the BCFSA (BC Salmon Farmers Association) said they are committed to a 91裸聊视频淔irst Nations-led BC salmon farming sector founded upon an inclusive, ecosystem approach to management that progressively enhances the sector91裸聊视频檚 environmental performance,91裸聊视频� adding that 91裸聊视频渨e have been transitioning for decades through the development of cutting edge technologies and innovations to continuously reduce our impact on the environment.91裸聊视频�
Technologies, which could include the transition to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) 91裸聊视频� a process where the water is recycled and reused after mechanical and biological filtration, with metabolites and other matter removed. However, whether the move from coast to land happens comes down to one important thing: the cost.
91裸聊视频淭he transition to recirculating aquaculture systems on land91裸聊视频檚 financial viability has not been proven,91裸聊视频� says BCFSA Executive Director Brian Kingzett.
91裸聊视频淭hese systems are more efficient with smaller fish and hybrid systems where fish are grown in RAS to a large size before being moved to the ocean may be part of the solution.91裸聊视频�
Gold Fish Aquafarms, which just received a licence from the DFO in November, is overseeing a nearly $100 million project involving RAS systems in Gold River. President and CEO Rob Walker says he has been overseeing the planning for the project for three years.
After it breaks ground in 2023, it will be 18 months before the project will be fully functional.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e using a mixed call raceway. It91裸聊视频檚 a long trough, water goes in one way and out the other. Water is recirculated, sent to the treatment so it gets cleaned.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檒l hatch the eggs, to the nursery, eventually to juvenile raceways, then eventually to harvest size.91裸聊视频�
Building on a former pulp and paper mill site, Walker says it has saved about 15 per cent of start up costs. Walker says that this transition, although it may be daunting, will be vital to the future of both the ocean and the industry.
91裸聊视频淭he big companies have been doing research for many years for alternatives,91裸聊视频� said Walker. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 very capital intensive and that91裸聊视频檚 a huge challenge. The federal government91裸聊视频檚 mandate is to get it out of the water and to protect the ocean.
91裸聊视频淭he ocean isn91裸聊视频檛 in good shape, and it91裸聊视频檚 unpredictable. You never know when the next storm or algae blooms. While there are still risks with this, the risk is manageable.91裸聊视频�
