About Arctic Char

 

The Arctic char has the most northerly geographic distribution of any freshwater fish. A beautiful, silver fish, pink-dappled along its underside, often with brilliant shades of blue and green on the back and upper sides, Arctic char is closely related to both salmon and trout and has many characteristics of both.


Individual fish can weigh 20 lbs or more, however whole fish are available in the 2-5 pound range. The flesh of Arctic char can be anywhere from dark red to quite pale pink, but should be clear and unmarred.

 

The species has several characteristics which make it an attractive candidate for freshwater aquaculture in northern regions. Arctic char thrive in cold-waterArctic Char conditions and demonstrate a better growth performance than rainbow trout or Atlantic salmon. Arctic char also grows well at high densities and are an extremely hardy fish, doing well in intensive culture situations.

 

Arctic char have been commercially farmed for less than 20 years, a relatively short period of time, when compared to salmon and trout which have been farmed for decades. Due to steep declines in traditional wild fisheries and the relatively small size of the char farming sector, present demand for char is much larger than the available supply.

 

The species is cultured in Europe, Canada and Iceland. In Canada the raising of Arctic char as a commercially cultured product is a relatively new venture which began in earnest in the early 1980's. The strains of Arctic char currently being raised in Canada originated from several wild egg collections from the Fraser River in Labrador and from Nauyuk Lake in the North West Territories. Currently, the majority of Canadian cultured Arctic char is produced in Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and the North West Territories, with some production in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

 

Production of farm raised Arctic char is at an infant stage when compared to a species such as salmon. Less than 3000 metric tons of Arctic char is presently being produced by fish farms world wide. Recent Farm Production figures indicate that the farming of Arctic char in Canada is on the rise, in concert with increased market awareness of the species and its value.

 

Agassiz Aqua Farms is focused on the development of Arctic char farming in the Prairie Provinces of Canada. The company operates a modern hatchery and grow out facility at Gunton, Manitoba. Recent facility expansions and development activities at other locations have positioned the company to become a significant supplier within the industry.