Research &
Development
Technology and innovation
are driving our industry.
Research & Development
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.
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.
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 BC salmon farming 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.
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 BC salmon farming 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 have developed and implemented Best Management Practices (BMPs) that emphasize pollution prevention rather than remediation. These BMPs focus on improving the 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 BMPs, BC farmed salmon processing facilities also implement Best Achievable Technologies (BATs) to extensively treat wastewater prior to discharge into the environment. Rather than simply screening, plants now use systems such as dissolved air flotation (DAF) to clarify the wastewater and UV or chlorine disinfection prior to being discharged to the environment. BC farmed salmon processing facilities have invested substantially to update their wastewater treatment technologies to global practices, while working with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to update their wastewater permits to meet the new standards.
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 have developed and implemented Best Management Practices (BMPs) that emphasize pollution prevention rather than remediation. These BMPs focus on improving the 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 BMPs, BC farmed salmon processing facilities also implement Best Achievable Technologies (BATs) to extensively treat wastewater prior to discharge into the environment. Rather than simply screening, plants now use systems such as dissolved air flotation (DAF) to clarify the wastewater and UV or chlorine disinfection prior to being discharged to the environment. BC farmed salmon processing facilities have invested substantially to update their wastewater treatment technologies to global practices, while working with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to update their wastewater permits to meet the new standards.
Land-based Fish Farming
BC salmon farmers, together with our valued indigenous partners, are committed to ongoing research into innovative new technologies that will continue to improve our environmental footprint, ensure protection of wild stocks, while maintaining healthy, delicious salmon for consumers.
BC salmon farmers lead the world in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems. All BC ocean-based farmers raise fish for their first half of their lives in land-based hatcheries and several fish farmers operate smaller land-based grow-out operations.
Land-based salmon farming currently has significant challenges which need to be addressed before it becomes a viable option for full scale commercial production. These challenges include fish health, broodstock development, stocking densities and large requirements for water and electricity.
With demand for healthy fish rising with the world’s population and new technology being developed, land-based fish farming will play a larger role in future food production, along with ocean-based farming.
Land-based Fish Farming
BC salmon farmers, together with our valued indigenous partners, are committed to ongoing research into innovative new technologies that will continue to improve our environmental footprint, ensure protection of wild stocks, while maintaining healthy, delicious salmon for consumers.
BC salmon farmers lead the world in land-based recirculating aquaculture systems. All BC ocean-based farmers raise fish for their first half of their lives in land-based hatcheries and several fish farmers operate smaller land-based grow-out operations.
Land-based salmon farming currently has significant challenges which need to be addressed before it becomes a viable option for full scale commercial production. These challenges include fish health, broodstock development, stocking densities and large requirements for water and electricity.
With demand for healthy fish rising with the world’s population and new technology being developed, land-based fish farming will play a larger role in future food production, along with ocean-based farming.