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 government香蕉视频直播檚 commitment to shifting strategy toward a 香蕉视频直播渂lue economy香蕉视频直播�, with the federal government香蕉视频直播檚 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 香蕉视频直播淔irst Nations-led BC salmon farming sector founded upon an inclusive, ecosystem approach to management that progressively enhances the sector香蕉视频直播檚 environmental performance,香蕉视频直播� adding that 香蕉视频直播渨e have been transitioning for decades through the development of cutting edge technologies and innovations to continuously reduce our impact on the environment.香蕉视频直播�
Technologies, which could include the transition to recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) 香蕉视频直播� 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.
香蕉视频直播淭he transition to recirculating aquaculture systems on land香蕉视频直播檚 financial viability has not been proven,香蕉视频直播� says BCFSA Executive Director Brian Kingzett.
香蕉视频直播淭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.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e using a mixed call raceway. It香蕉视频直播檚 a long trough, water goes in one way and out the other. Water is recirculated, sent to the treatment so it gets cleaned.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檒l hatch the eggs, to the nursery, eventually to juvenile raceways, then eventually to harvest size.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淭he big companies have been doing research for many years for alternatives,香蕉视频直播� said Walker. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 very capital intensive and that香蕉视频直播檚 a huge challenge. The federal government香蕉视频直播檚 mandate is to get it out of the water and to protect the ocean.
香蕉视频直播淭he ocean isn香蕉视频直播檛 in good shape, and it香蕉视频直播檚 unpredictable. You never know when the next storm or algae blooms. While there are still risks with this, the risk is manageable.香蕉视频直播�
