Commenting, the British Columbia Salmon Farmers' Association said it expects that this financial commitment will help to strengthen regulatory certainty through greater coordination between federal and provincial-territorial regulatory authorities. In addition, it will improve federal regulatory science by establishing performance-based environmental standards for aquaculture operations, and will support research and innovation to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and productivity, the trade organisation said.

“This is good news for aquaculture, here in BC and across Canada,” said Mary Ellen Walling, executive director of the BCSFA. “The strong leadership and support from Minister Hearn and Fisheries and Oceans staff have made it possible to move forward with planning, investment and research.”

The news was also welcomed by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA).

It said that, as consumers are increasingly aware of the health benefits of fish with high Omega-3 content, demand for aquaculture is growing worldwide, and this represents a continued and tremendous economic opportunity for Canada.

“While the world demand for seafood products continues to rise, the sustainable harvest of wild stocks has reached its limit and been exceeded in many areas of the world. Aquaculture is the solution,” said executive director Ruth Salmon.

Realising aquaculture’s full potential will also revitalise Canada’s rural, coastal and Aboriginal communities – providing as many as 47,000 new jobs in an industry that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, CAIA added.

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