What is Aquaculture?

 

Aquaculture is "The farming of fish, shellfish or aquatic plants in fresh, brackish or salt water."

 

Aquaculture is a relatively new industry in Canada and although it is rapidly expanding and maturing domestically, it is still considered by some to be a small-scale activity when compared to the traditional fisheries.

 

Just as Agriculture became imperative to the existence of mankind, so now has Aquaculture become the only sustainable method of producing high quality seafood. One needs only to review the capture fishery landing statistics to see that the world's demand for nourishment from our oceans has exceeded the level that the traditional capture fishery can support.

 

The cultivation of aquatic life, is an established practice in many parts of the world. In Canada, aquaculture was first used to enhance natural stocks, however, it is now a large-scale commercial industry across the country providing direct and indirect economic benefits to many local and regional economies. All ten provinces and the Yukon Territory currently have a stake in commercial aquaculture and interest is increasing in the Northwest Territories.

 

Most aquaculture crops are destined for human consumption. Other products also include bait fishes, ornamental or aquarium fish, and perhaps even more importantly, Aquaculture has been the historic method or practice that has improved production of aquatic animals used to increase natural populations for capture, and for sport fishing. The world wide historic use of the principals of Aquaculture, have on many occasions prevented the reduction or some say the extinction of some aquatic animals.

 

Aquaculture is a unique industry based on new technologies and progressive thought, mixed in with the global realization that demand for foods destined for nourishment of our world population, now outstrips nature and it's ability to support such demands.

 

It is a sustainable agri-food sector using aquatic resources. Aquaculture products are maintained in managed culture settings, either in tanks - raceways, earthen ponds, freshwater lakes and bays, or open oceans. The crops are fed and cared for to ensure optimum health and product quality. Once the fish or shellfish reach an appropriate size, the crop is harvested, processed to meet consumer requirements and shipped to market, generally arriving within hours of leaving the water.