BC Salmon Farmers Association - News and Alerts

HOT TOPIC: New Chapter in Salmon Farming Sustainability

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

Fish feed manufacturer Skretting announced today that "Commercial salmon farming can be a net fish protein producer." In a research trial conducted at CAC in Norway, a large-scale research station co-owned by Marine Harvest, Skretting and AKVA group, preliminary results show that 1.2 kg of fish protein was produced for each kilogram of fish protein that was utilized in the production of the feed. This major accomplishment was achieved through substitution with vegetable protein sources. Importantly, the level of Omega-3 fatty acids in the salmon produced was not reduced.

Knut Nesse, Managing Director of Skretting Salmon Feed, stated "The trials at CAC are a milestone. This is the first time we can refer to large-scale trials on fish over an entire generation, where we gain more fish protein in the form of salmon than we used to produce the fish feed. The world's resources must be shared among an ever-growing number of people. In this perspective, the findings open up great opportunities for the aquaculture industry."

Mary Ellen Walling, BCSFA Executive Director, agrees that the announcement marks another step forward to ensuring that salmon farming operates sustainably. "To be a net producer of fish protein while maintaining levels of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids is a major accomplishment. We look forward to hearing more about this exciting development when the final trial results are announced later this year."

To read the announcement from Skretting click here

MEDIA RELEASE: BC Salmon Farmers Association AGM Highlights Industry Strengths

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

The Annual General Meeting for the BC Salmon Farmers Association being held in Campbell River today highlights the industry's strengths � strong product demand, a solid regulatory framework and strong outreach efforts and partnerships.

Demand for BC salmon continues to outstrip the industry's ability to supply salmon to the market. Contributing to this demand and to ongoing sustainability of the industry are public outreach and education activities by the association and its members.

Addressing AGM attendees, BCSFA Executive Director, Mary Ellen Walling, emphasizes these efforts are necessary ingredients for social license and adds that "it is for this reason that in the coming year the BCSFA intends to strengthen our communication channels with our key stakeholders: customers, business partners, industry employees, elected officials and government agencies, and other interested parties."

To read the full press release click here

MEDIA RELEASE: 2007 Fish Health Report Confirms Industry's High Standards

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PST

The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands' 2007 Fish Health Report released today confirms salmon farmers' high degree of commitment to meeting regulations and to maintaining high fish health management standards.

The comprehensive provincial fish health management program includes on-farm health management plans, mandatory monitoring, reporting of disease events and an audit of industry reported information � all of which ensures that salmon farmers operate in a sustainable manner that protects wild salmon stocks and the environment.

To view the BCSFA press release click here

To link to the complete 2007 Fish Health Report click here