November 15, 2024

Canadian salmon farming sector launches first sustainability report

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has released its inaugural Sustainability Report for the Canadian salmon farming sector, underscoring the industry's commitment to sustainable practices, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Covering data from January 1 to December 31, 2022, the 2024 report serves as the first step in CAIA's sustainability disclosure journey. It highlights progress made in seven national, industry-wide commitments for salmon farming: fish health, climate change, sustainable feed, food security, food traceability, ocean health, and public reporting.

"Our goal is to be nothing less than the most sustainable animal protein product in the world, and this report is a crucial tool in building that knowledge across Canada," said Timothy J. Kennedy, president and CEO of CAIA. "As the first annual report for the Canadian salmon farming sector's national Performance Commitments, this document is the product of extensive collaboration across the sector."

Key highlights of the report include escapes at a historic low as significant improvements have been made in containment practices, and the lowest carbon footprint, with Canadian farm-raised salmon boasting the lowest carbon footprint among all major farmed animal species.

Other highlights include 100% traceability in all Canadian farm-raised salmon, renewed efforts focus on reducing fish mortality, using 100% sustainable-certified fish feed, and maintaining the health of wild salmon populations.

Aligned with CAIA's commitment to transparency, the Sustainability Report will be published annually, providing multi-year performance data in the future. The sector is evaluated across a proficiency scale—emerging, developing, proficient, and extending—in the seven priority areas. While progress has been noted in climate change efforts and ocean health, the sector has achieved "proficient" status in fish health, food security, and public reporting. The food traceability system has reached the "extending" level, ensuring full accountability from farm to fork.

"This is just the beginning," said Kennedy. "While we celebrate our achievements, we are acutely aware that there is always more work to be done. With the right regulatory environment and a commitment to innovation, we will continue to advance the sector's performance, responding to challenges and ensuring a healthy, secure, and high-quality Canadian source of food for all Canadians."

Funding for the report was provided through the AgriAssurance Programme under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

-      AquaFeed