Fish Health &
Sustainability
BC Salmon Farmers are passionate
about the health of their fish.
Fish Health & Sustainability
Continuous Improvement & Transparency
Transparency is important for salmon farmers. Information sharing and public reporting can be found on company websites and includes data on sea lice counts, wildlife interactions, and escapes as well as wild juvenile salmon monitoring. This level of reporting often goes above and beyond what is required for the certification process.
Continuous Improvement & Transparency
Transparency is important for salmon farmers. Information sharing and public reporting can be found on company websites and includes data on sea lice counts, wildlife interactions, and escapes as well as wild juvenile salmon monitoring. This level of reporting often goes above and beyond what is required for the certification process.
Certification
The BC Salmon Farmers Association members have achieved certification through several independent, globally recognized standards in areas such as sustainability, environmental practices, quality, safety and food safety management. These certifications show a commitment to transparency, upholding high standards for operations, and ensures that companies are producing salmon in a sustainable, safe and ethical manner.
Certification
The BC Salmon Farmers Association members have achieved certification through several independent, globally recognized standards in areas such as sustainability, environmental practices, quality, safety and food safety management. These certifications show a commitment to transparency, upholding high standards for operations, and ensures that companies are producing salmon in a sustainable, safe and ethical manner.
Fish Feed
Salmon Farming Companies constantly strive to remain at the forefront of environmental responsibility. An example of this is the industry’s efforts to prioritize sustainable feed ingredients combined with efficient feeding techniques.
Ongoing research and development coupled with the need to satisfy both fish health requirements and consumer demand for responsible sourcing means a wide range of new and sustainable raw materials and ingredients are entering the feed picture.
Fish Feed
Salmon Farming Companies constantly strive to remain at the forefront of environmental responsibility. An example of this is the industry’s efforts to prioritize sustainable feed ingredients combined with efficient feeding techniques.
Ongoing research and development coupled with the need to satisfy both fish health requirements and consumer demand for responsible sourcing means a wide range of new and sustainable raw materials and ingredients are entering the feed picture.
Fish Health Management
BC salmon farmers maintain accurate and up-to-date records of growth and fish health.
Preventative Vaccines & Medical Treatments
Vaccines are an integral part of fish health management and are administered to all fish prior to leaving the hatchery. The pathogens these vaccines protect against are not harmful to humans, but they can pose a threat to the health of the salmon. Vaccines have resulted in a substantial decrease in antibiotic use.
PRV
Piscine Orthoreovirus (PRV) is endemic in the marine environment of many countries and has been found in a variety of wild salmonid and non-salmonid fish. The strain of PRV identified in BC is genetically different from strains found in other areas of the world. Scientifically monitored exposures of Pacific and Atlantic salmon to the BC strain of PRV have not induced disease or mortality.
Fish Health Management
BC salmon farmers maintain accurate and up-to-date records of growth and fish health.
Preventative Vaccines & Medical Treatments
Vaccines are an integral part of fish health management and are administered to all fish prior to leaving the hatchery. The pathogens these vaccines protect against are not harmful to humans, but they can pose a threat to the health of the salmon. Vaccines have resulted in a substantial decrease in antibiotic use.
PRV
Piscine Orthoreovirus (PRV) is endemic in the marine environment of many countries and has been found in a variety of wild salmonid and non-salmonid fish. The strain of PRV identified in BC is genetically different from strains found in other areas of the world. Scientifically monitored exposures of Pacific and Atlantic salmon to the BC strain of PRV have not induced disease or mortality.
Advances in Managing Sea Lice
Sea lice occur naturally in BC waters on many species of fish. Farmed salmon smolts, from the freshwater hatcheries, entering the ocean do not have lice. Lice can be transferred to farmed salmon from the environment and from other fish. The industry management of sea lice continuously improves through research and extensive testing of alternative measures and as a result now has innovative options to manage this pest.
For a detailed description of sea lice management tools see the BC Salmon Aquaculture: Innovation & Technology Report
Advances in Managing Sea Lice
Sea lice occur naturally in BC waters on many species of fish. Farmed salmon smolts, from the freshwater hatcheries, entering the ocean do not have lice. Lice can be transferred to farmed salmon from the environment and from other fish. The industry management of sea lice continuously improves through research and extensive testing of alternative measures and as a result now has innovative options to manage this pest.