Farmed salmon is the most valuable seafood in British Columbia (again!)
FishfarmingXpert, December 9, 2013
Farm-raised salmon has once again topped the list as British Columbia’s most valuable seafood despite a dip in production, according to a new report released by the province
Each year, the B.C. government provides a useful overview of the seafood industry in the province, and the “2012 British Columbia Seafood Industry Year in Review” was recently posted on the Ministry of Agriculture’s web site. In its latest Newsletter, the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association provides some context with respect to its membership’s contribution to the bigger picture:
While 2012 saw decreases in harvest tonnes, landed value and wholesale value for seafood production in BC, according to the British Columbia Seafood Industry Year in Review, farm-raised salmon continued to lead the way in seafood value.
Last year, 73,700 tonnes of farm-raised salmon, both Atlantic and Pacific species, was harvested with a wholesale value of $432.9 million (~€ 298 million) and landed value of $344.8 million dollars in sales. Farm-raised salmon represents 93 per cent of the total landed value of all BC salmon and more than 50 per cent of the total landed value of all B.C. seafood produced in 2012. Seafood products overall saw reduced amounts in 2012.
Increased government support for the aquaculture industry was also highlighted in the report. Additional funding to the Buy Local program and funding to the federal Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program both assisted aquaculture producers in BC. As well, the BC Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training showcased BC seafood products at international events in China, Belgium and Boston. “We are committed to building a strong economy here in BC and having a viable and sustainable seafood sector is one of our biggest objectives,” said Hon. Pat Pimm, BC’s Minister of Agriculture.
