B.C. salmon farming to hit $1 billion annually in next 5 years
Sponsored by BC Salmon Farmers Association
Province, September 24, 2014
Farm-raised salmon is B.C.’s highest-valued agricultural export with almost $300-million in value exported each year. Salmon farming in B.C. provides 6,000 direct and indirect jobs while contributing over $800-million annually to the provincial economy.
• This year marks the first time that more than 50 per cent of the world’s seafood consumption is farmed. Projections show that this will be near 75 per cent in 15 years.
• B.C.’s salmon farming sector could be contributing over $1-billion to our economy within the next five years through regulatory, policy, and program reforms alone.
• Of all farmed vertebrates, fish are among the most efficient energy and protein converters because they are cold blooded, have a relatively small bone structure, and are naturally buoyant in water. The carbon footprint of farmed salmon is half of that of pork and one-tenth that of beef. Farming efficiency is critical for the future of our food, water, and land.
• B.C.’s salmon farmers are achieving some of the world’s best feed-conversion ratios — with 1.2 kg of feed on average producing 1 kg of salmon. Some companies have even met the below-1 kg of feed goal of making salmon farming a net-protein producer.
• Total B.C. salmon farming tenures remain unchanged since 2008 at 120, with 64 to 75 farms operating and 35 to 45 resting at any given time. The total space occupied by salmon farms on B.C.’s coasts is approximately 100 hectares, which is smaller than Stanley Park.
• Salmon farming in B.C. can reasonably and sustainably grow by 10 per cent per year. This is equal to the production of two to three new farms per year.
• B.C. is the world’s fourth largest producer of farmed salmon behind Norway, Chile and the U.K.
The BC Salmon Farmers Association represents the province’s vibrant salmon farming industry through its members — salmon farm companies and the businesses that proudly provide services and supplies to B.C.’s salmon farmers
