Studies & Publications

Salmon farming - and most particularly its environmental implications - have been extensively studied in British Columbia and many other parts of the world. Below are links and information for some of the most recent and significant studies relating to our industry:

Farming/Aquaculture

• Astaxanthin in Foods - Does astaxanthin occur normally in foods?
  Astaxanthin is the most commonly occuring red carotenoid in marine and aquatic animals, and thus occurs naturally in certain human foodstuffs, most importantly in salmon and rainbow trout...

2009

• A large, natural infection of sea lice on juvenile Pacific salmon in the Gulf Islands area of British Columbia, Canada
  High levels of sea lice generally exceeding a prevalence of 60% were found on all species of juvenile Pacific salmon and on juvenile Pacific herring in the Gulf Islands area within the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia. Virtually all sea lice were Caligus clemensi and most stages were maturing or mature. There are no active fish farms in this area, indicating that this is a naturally occurring epizootic of sea lice. It is possible that the infection was associated with Pacific herring that spawned in the area in the spring, although the linkage between the spawning Pacific herring and the infection on Pacific salmon was not determined.

2008

• BC Salmon Farming Overview 2008
  An industry snapshot prepared by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP for the BCSFA.
• BC Salmon Farming Overview Presentation 2008
  This PricewaterhouseCoopers presentation was given at the BCSFA Annual General Meeting in September 2009.
• Closed Containment Technology
  Information from Fisheries and Oceans Canada on closed containment technology.

2007

• BC Salmon Farming Overview Presentation 2007
  The PriceWaterhouseCoopers presentation that was given at the BCSFA Annual General Meeting in September 2008.
• Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act
  Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries – The Act ensures that farmers can farm in the agricultural land reserve by protecting them from nuisance lawsuits, nuisance bylaws and prohibitive injunctions when they are using normal farm practices.

2006

• The 2006 British Columbia Seafood Industry Year in Review
  (PDF) – This report from BC's Ministry of Agriculture and Lands provides details on the seafood industry in British Columbia with statistical information for the year 2006.
• Salmon Farming Overview 2006
  An industry snapshot prepared by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP for the BCSFA.

2003

• A Competitiveness Survey of the British Columbia Salmon Farming Industry, May 2003
  (PDF) – A competitiveness study conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Fisheries Aquaculture Branch. The study provides some context for international perspective on BC's Salmon Farming Industry.

2002

• Update on Salmon Aquaculture Review Recommendations - January 2002 (PDF 127KB)
  A report on the provincial government's implementation of SAR recommendations.
• On The Risk of Colonization by Atlantic Salmon in BC Waters (PDF 3MB)
  A comprehensive presentation and analysis of the real facts on the ability of Atlantic salmon, and other salmonids, to colonize outside of their natural range, with emphasis on the coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada. The conclusion, supported by historical experience as well as current scientific opinion and study, is that the risk of Atlantic salmon colonization in BC is not only low, but extremely so, and that farmed escapees are not in any way compromising wild Pacific salmon stocks.
• The International Context for Aquaculture Development: Growth in Production and Demand and Long - Term Outlook (PDF 854KB)
  A review and comparative analysis of the international context and resulting major trends that will affect the development of aquaculture at the global, national and regional levels. Includes an overview of policies, governance structures, programs and services in place in various countries to provide a framework and support for industry, and to foster smooth development of aquaculture; and, the lessons for Canada.
• Federal Programs and Services for Five Resource-Based Industries (PDF 315KB)
  A comparative analysis of how the aquaculture sector is treated by the Canadian government, in comparison with four other primary sectors: agriculture, forestry, commercial fisheries and biotechnology.
• Review of Federal Programs/Initiatives in support of Aquaculture (PDF 410KB)
  A review and analysis of all programs and services provided to the Canadian aquaculture sector by various federal government departments and agencies
• Review of Provincial and Territorial Program and Services in the Aquaculture Sector
  (PDF 331KB) – A review and analysis of all programs and services provided to the Canadian aquaculture sector by provincial government ministries / departments and agencies.
• Market Outlook in the International Fish and Seafood Sector: Alternative Products/Uses and Food Safety Issues (PDF 268KB)
  A review of general trends affecting the value-added of fisheries products, new uses for products derived from aquaculture and commercial fisheries (pharmaceutical products, nutraceuticals, etc.), and issues affecting food safety, especially in terms of consumer behaviour and regulatory changes affecting international trade.
• Current Status and Potential of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry (PDF 267KB)
  Offers a review of the context in which the Canadian aquaculture industry is evolving today, and an assessment of its potential for future growth.

2001

• Benthic (Ocean Floor) Impact Study, Dr. Kenneth M. Brooks, 2001 (4.0MB PDF)
  "An evaluation of the relationship between salmon farm biomass, organic inputs to sediments, physicochemical changes associated with those inputs and the infaunal response" – A report on ocean-floor impacts prepared for the BC Salmon Aquaculture Technical Advisory Group, and based on detailed data collection at seven BC salmon farms during 2000.
• The Net-Pen Salmon Farming Industry in the Pacific Northwest
  A technical memorandum prepared by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, assessing the level of various types of environmental risk associated with net-pen salmon aquaculture as practiced in the Pacific Northwest.

2000

• Salmon Farming Overview 2000 (475k pdf)
  A presentation by Dave Egan of PricewaterhouseCoopers to the BCSFA AGM; July 5, 2001; Campbell River (production overview, market overview, outlook)