Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association
Facts & Questions
| "Environmentally Responsible, Environmentally Accountable" |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
What is aquaculture?
Aquaculture is the cultivation and harvesting (farming) of finfish, shellfish and
aquatic plants. Cultivation implies some form of intervention in the rearing
process to enhance production, Such as regular stocking, feeding and protection
from predators. It also implies individual or corporate ownership of the stock
being cultivated.
Aquaculture is the cultivation and harvesting (farming) of finfish, shellfish and
aquatic plants. Cultivation implies some form of intervention in the rearing
process to enhance production, Such as regular stocking, feeding and protection
from predators. It also implies individual or corporate ownership of the stock
being cultivated.
What are the origins of aquaculture?
Aquaculture on a subsistence scale has been around in Europe and Asia for
centuries. The earliest records of fish farming are from China where the practice
has been known of for at least 3500 years, particularly with carp. There is folklore
evidence that basic aquaculture was first practiced in Canada by aboriginal
peoples through the transfer of fish between streams and rivers. By 1950, a
network of federal and provincial hatcheries were producing approximately 750
million freshwater fish and fresh-water spawning fish annually for wild stock
enhancement and non-commercial stock expansion.
Aquaculture on a subsistence scale has been around in Europe and Asia for
centuries. The earliest records of fish farming are from China where the practice
has been known of for at least 3500 years, particularly with carp. There is folklore
evidence that basic aquaculture was first practiced in Canada by aboriginal
peoples through the transfer of fish between streams and rivers. By 1950, a
network of federal and provincial hatcheries were producing approximately 750
million freshwater fish and fresh-water spawning fish annually for wild stock
enhancement and non-commercial stock expansion.
What species are farmed?
Rainbow trout is the main species farmed in Ontario and the minor species
produced is tilapia, Arctic charr, brook trout, smallmouth and largemouth
bass,and cyprinid baitfish.
Rainbow trout is the main species farmed in Ontario and the minor species
produced is tilapia, Arctic charr, brook trout, smallmouth and largemouth
bass,and cyprinid baitfish.
Why do we farm fish?
To bridge the gap between the wild catch and the demand for fish. As a result of
the growing world population and a shift in western societies towards healthier
eating patterns, there is likely to be a continuing increase in demand for seafood.
Aquaculture is well suited to meeting this increase demand for seafood.
Currently, the aquaculture industry is gaining increasing governmental support in
general, with some government funding for Research and Development programs.
To bridge the gap between the wild catch and the demand for fish. As a result of
the growing world population and a shift in western societies towards healthier
eating patterns, there is likely to be a continuing increase in demand for seafood.
Aquaculture is well suited to meeting this increase demand for seafood.
Currently, the aquaculture industry is gaining increasing governmental support in
general, with some government funding for Research and Development programs.
How is fish farming regulated?
In all areas where fish are farmed commercially, governments have put
regulations in place. The aquaculture industry adheres to these regulations and
continuously works with various levels of government to identify issues that may
benefit from regulation and to ensure that operating practices remain current. In
Canada there are three layers of regulatory process --at the municipal, provincial
and federal level. In addition, the responsibility for regulatory enforcement is
sometimes split between departments of government within each level. In fact,
fisheries departments, lands and forest department, agriculture and
transportation departments, labour department worker safety requirements and
a host of what can be usually termed as additional site specific local rules and
requirements.
In all areas where fish are farmed commercially, governments have put
regulations in place. The aquaculture industry adheres to these regulations and
continuously works with various levels of government to identify issues that may
benefit from regulation and to ensure that operating practices remain current. In
Canada there are three layers of regulatory process --at the municipal, provincial
and federal level. In addition, the responsibility for regulatory enforcement is
sometimes split between departments of government within each level. In fact,
fisheries departments, lands and forest department, agriculture and
transportation departments, labour department worker safety requirements and
a host of what can be usually termed as additional site specific local rules and
requirements.
What is being done to improve fish used in farming?
This is being achieved through a combination of selective breeding with improving
husbandry and greater nutritional understanding. Disease resistance is another
area of continuous improvement. The use of therapeutants has been
substantially reduced through great improvements in husbandry, feed
formulation and health management. Active health monitoring programs are also
proving to be a great help.
This is being achieved through a combination of selective breeding with improving
husbandry and greater nutritional understanding. Disease resistance is another
area of continuous improvement. The use of therapeutants has been
substantially reduced through great improvements in husbandry, feed
formulation and health management. Active health monitoring programs are also
proving to be a great help.
Where are the farms located and how are the fish kept there?
Site selection for a fish farm is a process, which can take up to three years
because of the complexity of regulation and site management requirements.
Many things are taken into account, including such basics as water requirements.
These can include water depth, current flow and sheltered location, the proximity
of other (local) resource users and water temperature and oxygen content. Other
processes also applied are the proximity to sources of pollution, tourist sites ,
other local forms of fish in the habitat and the potential for algae growth in
shallow water. Farmed finfish and shellfish are kept on the culture sites through
a variety of culture methods. These include netcages in oceans and lakes,
on-land raceways and tanks, enclosed pond systems, net bags, shellfish cages,
socks and lines, and shellfish tables.
Site selection for a fish farm is a process, which can take up to three years
because of the complexity of regulation and site management requirements.
Many things are taken into account, including such basics as water requirements.
These can include water depth, current flow and sheltered location, the proximity
of other (local) resource users and water temperature and oxygen content. Other
processes also applied are the proximity to sources of pollution, tourist sites ,
other local forms of fish in the habitat and the potential for algae growth in
shallow water. Farmed finfish and shellfish are kept on the culture sites through
a variety of culture methods. These include netcages in oceans and lakes,
on-land raceways and tanks, enclosed pond systems, net bags, shellfish cages,
socks and lines, and shellfish tables.
Can fish farming adapt further to improve its environmental performance?
The aquaculture industry has a direct interest in a clean environment and aims to
be a responsible producer, which requires the fish to be farmed in a sustainable
manner. Major steps in this respect have been the reduction in the feed
conversion ratio (FCR), health monitoring and improved husbandry systems. The
fact that all cultivation of land or water has some effect on the natural
environment should be kept in mind. Throughout the process of improving the
sustainability of the industry, we are in constructive dialogues with
environmentalists and governments.
The aquaculture industry has a direct interest in a clean environment and aims to
be a responsible producer, which requires the fish to be farmed in a sustainable
manner. Major steps in this respect have been the reduction in the feed
conversion ratio (FCR), health monitoring and improved husbandry systems. The
fact that all cultivation of land or water has some effect on the natural
environment should be kept in mind. Throughout the process of improving the
sustainability of the industry, we are in constructive dialogues with
environmentalists and governments.
What feed is given to farm fish?
Farmed fish are fed using nutrient-dense, dry feed pellets. Different types of
feeds, mainly distinguished by variations in pellet size, fat and protein content,
are fed according to the life stage of the fish. The feeds have been developed to
meet the nutritional requirements of healthy growing fish and contain a variety of
ingredients, vegetable protein, fish meal and oils and fats.
Farmed fish are fed using nutrient-dense, dry feed pellets. Different types of
feeds, mainly distinguished by variations in pellet size, fat and protein content,
are fed according to the life stage of the fish. The feeds have been developed to
meet the nutritional requirements of healthy growing fish and contain a variety of
ingredients, vegetable protein, fish meal and oils and fats.
Where does the fishmeal and fish oil come from?
The species most used for fish oil and fish meal are the pelagic fish; generally
these are unsuitable for human consumption because they are small and bony
and it would not be economically viable to process them. The aquaculture
industry has invested in research to find alternatives to these high quality fish
meals. Fish meal fisheries are sustainable and the fish used in meal are the same
as wild salmon eat. Note: it takes 5 times as much forage fish to put a kg of wild
salmon on your plate as a kg of farmed trout.
The species most used for fish oil and fish meal are the pelagic fish; generally
these are unsuitable for human consumption because they are small and bony
and it would not be economically viable to process them. The aquaculture
industry has invested in research to find alternatives to these high quality fish
meals. Fish meal fisheries are sustainable and the fish used in meal are the same
as wild salmon eat. Note: it takes 5 times as much forage fish to put a kg of wild
salmon on your plate as a kg of farmed trout.
Are fishmeal and fish oil associated with contaminants?
Dioxins are present at varying levels throughout the environment and therefore
found in wild and farmed fish in varying levels depending on their food sources.
Ontario Trout are 100 to 400 times below the Canadian, US and European
standards for PCBs. Ontario farmed fish are 20 to 50 times lower than wild
Georgian Bay Trout and several times lower that most wild salmon.
Dioxins are present at varying levels throughout the environment and therefore
found in wild and farmed fish in varying levels depending on their food sources.
Ontario Trout are 100 to 400 times below the Canadian, US and European
standards for PCBs. Ontario farmed fish are 20 to 50 times lower than wild
Georgian Bay Trout and several times lower that most wild salmon.
Are therapeutics used in fish farming?
Therapeutants are used only when prescibed by a veterinarian to cure an
infection. As a matter of principle and good practice, fish farms only use
registered approved medicines as permitted by the regulatory authorities. In
recent years excellent progress has been made in reducing the occurrence of
disease in farmed fish and, consequently, in the use of therapeutants in modern
aquaculture. This industry trends reduced use of medicine in aquaculture has
been estimated as a 60% reduction since 1994 to 1999.
Therapeutants are used only when prescibed by a veterinarian to cure an
infection. As a matter of principle and good practice, fish farms only use
registered approved medicines as permitted by the regulatory authorities. In
recent years excellent progress has been made in reducing the occurrence of
disease in farmed fish and, consequently, in the use of therapeutants in modern
aquaculture. This industry trends reduced use of medicine in aquaculture has
been estimated as a 60% reduction since 1994 to 1999.
What is the economic value of the provincial aquaculture industry?
The economic value of the Ontario aquaculture industry was estimated at $65
Million in 2003.
The economic value of the Ontario aquaculture industry was estimated at $65
Million in 2003.
How many jobs have been created in Ontario by aquaculture?
There are 220 person years of direct employment and 250 person years of
in-direct employment according to University of Guelph Aquastats 2006
Publication.
There are 220 person years of direct employment and 250 person years of
in-direct employment according to University of Guelph Aquastats 2006
Publication.
