REPORT 01

Technology Report (2021)

Technology and innovation are driving BC salmon farming. This report summarizes research and development work focused on healthier fish, stronger environmental performance, wild salmon understanding, and marine stewardship.

Technology and innovation are driving BC salmon farming. This report summarizes research and development work focused on healthier fish, stronger environmental performance, wild salmon understanding, and marine stewardship.

2021

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Research and development

BC salmon farmers invest in efficiency, fish health, and better understanding of wild salmon populations and the marine environment.

Innovation and technology

Since the late 1960s, the sector has followed an orderly transition toward greater environmental stewardship through cutting-edge tools and innovations.

Wastewater treatment

Processing facilities use best management practices and technologies such as dissolved air flotation, UV, and chlorine disinfection before discharge.

Land-based aquaculture

BC ocean-based farmers already raise fish in land-based hatcheries during the first half of their lives while research continues on future grow-out technologies.

R&D

Research and development is a cornerstone of maintaining a sustainable industry. BC salmon farmers invest significant resources to operate more efficiently, grow healthier fish and to better understand wild salmon populations and the marine environment.

Research and development is a cornerstone of maintaining a sustainable industry. BC salmon farmers invest significant resources to operate more efficiently, grow healthier fish and to better understand wild salmon populations and the marine environment.

Innovation and Technology

Since its inception in the late 1960s, BC’s salmon farming industry has followed an ongoing, orderly transition toward greater environmental stewardship by implementing cutting-edge technologies and innovations. The industry’s high standard of environmental responsibility has been recognized by multiple independent, global environmental certification systems. Since the first BC Salmon Aquaculture Innovation and Technology Report in 2019, the industry has continued its transition toward technologies and innovations that will reduce environmental impacts even further. These new technologies and innovations are being implemented at the hatchery, grow-out and processing phases of the farm-raised salmon production cycle.

Since its inception in the late 1960s, BC’s salmon farming industry has followed an ongoing, orderly transition toward greater environmental stewardship by implementing cutting-edge technologies and innovations. The industry’s high standard of environmental responsibility has been recognized by multiple independent, global environmental certification systems. Since the first BC Salmon Aquaculture Innovation and Technology Report in 2019, the industry has continued its transition toward technologies and innovations that will reduce environmental impacts even further. These new technologies and innovations are being implemented at the hatchery, grow-out and processing phases of the farm-raised salmon production cycle.

Wastewater Treatment

Best Management Practices: Focus on Prevention

In response to a sector-wide audit of fish processing BC plants in 2018, BCSFA member facilities developed and implemented best management practices that emphasize pollution prevention rather than remediation. These practices focus on improving recovery of products and by-products, reducing water use where possible, minimizing the contact time between seafood solids and water, and designing conveyance and pumping systems that minimize the breakdown of seafood solids into finer particles and dissolved solids.

Best Achievable Technologies

In addition to best management practices, BC farmed salmon processing facilities implement best achievable technologies to extensively treat wastewater prior to discharge into the environment. Rather than simply screening, plants now use systems such as dissolved air flotation to clarify wastewater, plus UV or chlorine disinfection before discharge. Facilities have invested substantially to update wastewater treatment technologies to global practices while working with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to update permits to meet new standards.

Land-based Fish Farming

BC salmon farmers, together with valued Indigenous partners, are committed to ongoing research into innovative new technologies that will continue to improve environmental footprint, support protection of wild stocks, and maintain healthy salmon for consumers. BC salmon farmers lead the world in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems. All BC ocean-based farmers raise fish for the first half of their lives in land-based hatcheries, and several operate smaller land-based grow-out operations. Land-based salmon farming currently has significant challenges to address before it becomes viable for full-scale commercial production, including fish health, broodstock development, stocking densities, and large requirements for water and electricity. With demand for healthy fish rising and new technology developing, land-based fish farming will play a larger role in future food production alongside ocean-based farming.

BC salmon farmers, together with valued Indigenous partners, are committed to ongoing research into innovative new technologies that will continue to improve environmental footprint, support protection of wild stocks, and maintain healthy salmon for consumers. BC salmon farmers lead the world in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems. All BC ocean-based farmers raise fish for the first half of their lives in land-based hatcheries, and several operate smaller land-based grow-out operations. Land-based salmon farming currently has significant challenges to address before it becomes viable for full-scale commercial production, including fish health, broodstock development, stocking densities, and large requirements for water and electricity. With demand for healthy fish rising and new technology developing, land-based fish farming will play a larger role in future food production alongside ocean-based farming.

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