Young Salmon Farmers of BC - BC Salmon Farmers Association

Who We Are

Young Salmon Farmers of BC (YSFBC) is a diverse group of millennial leaders representing virtually every aspect of BC’s salmon farming value chain. Our group includes farm/hatchery technicians and managers, water quality technicians, veterinarians, communicators, transportation, procurement managers, biologists, certification managers, and environmental specialists. Together, we aim to be an inclusive body that leads, informs, and sustains a positive dialogue about salmon farming in BC.

For many of us, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland is our home. Fish, forests, and the ocean are our identity. We care deeply for those resources and want to protect them for future generations.

Our focus is on the future, and we’re proud to work in a sustainable sector that feeds Canadians, including our own families. We’ve witnessed a positive dialogue change regarding salmon farming in our coastal communities. We are proud of our work and are confidently prepared to speak out against misinformation and disinformation.

For many of us, coastal North Vancouver Island is our home. Fish, forests, and the ocean are our identity. We care deeply for those resources and want to protect them for generations to come.

What Matters to Us

Consider what matters to millennials working in the industry:

Climate Change
The future of the mountains we climb in parks like Strathcona and the rivers we fish up and down the coast depend on today’s leadership on climate change. We’re proud to be a solution sector with the lowest emissions of all animal protein sectors.

Indigenous Peoples and First Nations Reconciliation
We’re learning about truth and reconciliation from Indigenous Peoples and care deeply about our sector’s commitment to principles articulated in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). All salmon farms in BC now operate in partnership, agreement or negotiation with rights-holder First Nations.

Innovation
Our sector is made up of highly skilled and educated millennials from across Canada. Part of what excites us is constantly upskilling, innovating, and deploying ground-breaking new technologies that move our sector forward.

Food Security
During COVID-19, it has become apparent just how critical secure food systems will be for Canada’s future. By 2030, 60% of all fish consumed will originate from aquaculture. Raising healthy, tasty, and affordable salmon protein excites us “salmon nerds,” and we’re poised to help grow Canada’s Blue Economy.

Wild Salmon and the Marine Environment
We love fish. Wild salmon is part of who we are as Islanders. Science tells us that wild salmon and salmon farming can co-exist sustainably, but first, we must move away from the divisive dialogue of “this vs. that” and move toward “this and that.”

Our Activities

Advocacy and Education: We are passionate about what we do and aim to raise awareness by attending events, conferences, information sessions, and podcasts. We host booths, panel sessions, or presentations such as with the Aquaculture Association of Canada Conference, BC Seafood Fest, 4-H BC Youth Program, Fleming College, UVic and UBC.
Volunteering: We believe in giving back to our community. We have adopted a portion of Saratoga Beach near Campbell River, BC, which we are responsible for keeping clean during the summer season and maintaining accessibility. We participate in beach cleaning and volunteer with local habitat enhancement groups.
Social Media: We believe social media is a powerful tool to increase awareness, education, and transparency in the sector. We live and work in rural coastal communities that are not accessible to many British Columbians. Our social media platform is to show who we are and what we do. Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
Professional Development: We are committed to ensuring we always bring value to our members through professional development opportunities and quarterly socials. We have also recently teamed up with YoungFish in Norway and the Young Aquaculture Society in Scotland to build an international network of young professionals called the Next Generation Seafood Alliance.

Young Salmon Farmers of BC Members

Emily Warren

Thomas Gannon

I am the Operations Manager at Aquatrans Distributors. I grew up in Langley, BC, and completed my Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Victoria in 2019. Aquatrans is a family business, so I grew up with the aquaculture industry as a large part of my life. I have always felt a sense of pride working in an industry that provides a sustainable food source for millions while supporting local coastal communities in BC. I'm very excited to be a part of a group of like-minded people and to learn more about the industry as a whole.

Terra MacDonald

I am a veterinarian and the Fish Health Manager at Mowi Canada West. I grew up in Nova Scotia and graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island in 2017. During my time at veterinary school, I knew I wanted to become a fish veterinarian, and salmon were my main focus. I have worked all around the East Coast of Canada, working with various aspects of aquaculture, including regulatory, fieldwork, and within research labs, as well as taking part in externship programs in Norway and British Columbia. In my role, I am responsible for overseeing the health of the fish from egg to harvest, as well as the broodstock program. This includes organizing diagnostic screening, sea lice management, welfare monitoring and management, and prescribing treatments and medication where required.

The key skills required for my job include the ability to take the abundance of daily data we receive and formulate it into useful patterns that help to guide our sampling and treatment plans and other activities. Having a wide breadth of knowledge and being able to quickly switch focus from regulatory reporting to discussing a wellboat treatment and then looking at a biosecurity plan for a hatchery is important as well.

Richard Davis

Terry Guest

I am a dedicated Crew Supervisor for Fuerste Vaccination Services. I am known for my expertise in management and quality control. With over six years of experience, I have built a reputation for my attention to detail and dedication to ensuring high-quality standards are met and exceeded. I started as a Fish Handler, and through hard work and commitment, I was able to get promoted to Crew Supervisor. I now oversee all logistics for the company and ensure quality standards are met. What we do at Fuerste Vaccinations is an extremely important part of helping the industry provide a fantastic product to consumers.

I have travelled all around the world, vaccinating fish. Some highlights were spending a month in Ontario helping set up and train crew on how to vaccinate rainbow trout. That went so well that they are now a repeat customer for us and have their own machine. I was also fortunate enough to spend two weeks in Norway, learning from some of the best in the industry.

Rebecca Timmons

I have been a Freshwater Technician with Greig Seafood BC in Gold River, BC, since May 2023. I grew up in Shawnigan Lake on Vancouver Island, enjoying fishing and being out by the water. I graduated from Vancouver Island University with a BSc in Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2023. During my years at VIU, I knew that raising salmon was what I wanted to do. In 2019, I received the "Long Beach Lodge Resort - Sandy Miller Memorial Award for outstanding achievement and demonstrating interest and dedication to salmon.

I am working with our Broodstock, spawning and fertilizing eggs for production, sampling for fish health screening, and husbandry. With my science background, I bring knowledge of how our systems function and water quality, as well as a passion for fish health. I plan to continue working to gain experience, expand my skill set, and learn. As a salmon farmer, I have pride in the fish we produce and how it directly impacts the remote coastal communities we live and work in.