August 26, 2024

 

Canadian government invests in Quebec-based salmon farming start-up Samonix

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) has invested nearly CAD 100,000 (US$73,900) in Samonix, a land-based Atlantic salmon aquaculture start-up, SeafoodSource reported.

 

This investment is aimed at helping Samonix conduct preliminary studies during its pre-start-up phase.

 

According to CED, the funding will be used to cover fees for external professionals as the company prepares to launch its operations. This support is seen as part of the government's broader effort to promote innovation and economic growth across all regions of the country.

 

Sophie Chatel, a member of parliament representing Pontiac, Quebec, expressed the government's commitment to regional development. "Promoting innovation and economic growth in all regions across the country is a priority for our government. By supporting promising projects like Samonix, located in one of Quebec's economically vulnerable RCMs (regional county municipalities), we are fostering more inclusive economic growth for the Pontiac community."

 

Samonix, founded in 2020, is working to establish a 12,000-metric-tonne (MT) land-based salmon farm in Pontiac. The facility, located in Litchfield on the shores of the Ottawa River, will employ a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) that recirculates 99 percent of its water. Samonix will utilise AquaMaof technology to minimise environmental impact while producing salmon for markets in Quebec, Ontario, and the northern US states.

 

The funds from CED are part of the Quebec Economic Development Plan. The investment is repayable if Samonix successfully transitions out of its start-up phase. However, if the company is unable to move forward, the funds do not need to be repaid.

 

Samonix's founding president, Mathieu Farley, expressed gratitude for the support from CED. "With this assistance, the business is launching an ambitious initiative to produce higher-quality salmon with fewer environmental impacts. We thank CED for supporting Samonix in developing an innovation hub for salmon farming in the Outaouais region."

 

The CED investment follows a series of partnerships that Samonix has established with other prominent salmon aquaculture companies. In January, Samonix announced a strategic partnership with Smart Salmon Group and Smøgenlax, both of which have extensive experience in land-based aquaculture. Smart Salmon Group has projects underway in Norway and France, while Smøgenlax specialises in wastewater management.

 

Smart Salmon Group praised the collaboration with Samonix, noting that the partnership brings together a skilled interdisciplinary team aiming to push the boundaries of innovation in the land-based Atlantic salmon sector.

 

-      SeafoodSource