April 19, 2007

Sustainable aquaculture receives widespread support in British Columbia

A recent public opinion shows increasing support for sustainable aquaculture in British Columbia.

In a poll undertaken by Ipsos Reid on behalf of the BCSFA (British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association), most respondents (65 percent) said they support the development of a sustainable salmon farming sector.

These results complement an earlier survey commissioned by the Northwest Institute which showed that 60 percent of respondents believed salmon farming increased job opportunities and 41 percent said salmon farming reduces the pressure on wild salmon stocks.

A report commissioned by the BC Legislative Assembly's Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture also showed that the economic benefit of salmon farming is nearly double than previously reported.

According to farmgate production numbers, salmon farming showed a 93 percent growth from 1997 (36,600 tonnes) to 2005 (70, 600 tonnes) and a 95 percent increase in total processed output over the same period, growing from US$190 million in 1995 to US$371 million in 2005.

The figures show there is more demand for aquaproducts from the region than it can supply, Mary Ellen Walling, executive director of BCSFA said.

This has created more jobs and economic benefits than previously reported and sustainable aquaculture is the only type people would endorse, she said.

However, she noted that excessive red tape has prevented new farm applications.

This, she noted, meant a loss of US$40 million in investment capital in the last three years, with loss in projected revenue for these companies close to half a billion dollars.