Atlantic Canada’s fish health ‘grandfather’ honoured

A fish health and feed expert described as the “grandfather” of fish health veterinary medicine in Atlantic Canada has been presented with an award by the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers’ Association (ACFFA).

When he moved to New Brunswick in 1988, Dr Steven Backman was the first and only private sector veterinarian in the area who had specialised training in fish health medicine.

“Dr Steven Backman’s contributions to Atlantic Canada’s aquaculture sector are unparalleled,” said ACFFA secretary/treasurer David Seeley. “His leadership in the areas of fish health and feed innovation have been crucial to the evolution and continued sustainable growth of our sector.”

First fish vet

Backman began his aquaculture career in Ontario in a collaborative program to assist tobacco farmers transition to more sustainable crops through the adoption of land-based aquaculture. He moved to Atlantic Canada to head up the Veterinary Services Office for feed company Moore-Clark Canada, a division of BP Nutrition (now Skretting), in 1988. At the time, salmon farming was just getting established, and farmers had access only to a large animal veterinarian and two provincial biology assistants to answer any fish health questions.

Backman recently marked his 35th anniversary working at Skretting, where he is product manager for North America, and in his spare time enjoys working at his integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) operation, Magellan Aqua Farms Inc., in Bocabec Bay and St Stephen, New Brunswick.

“Dr Backman’s wealth of knowledge and passion for aquaculture is legendary. He is always willing to share his expertise and enthusiasm for fish health and feed innovation with anyone who wants to learn,” said Seeley. “He is truly deserving of this recognition for his substantial contributions to this sector.”

An amazing industry

The Skretting manager was presented with ACFFA’s 2023 Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award in front of around 130 people attending the association’s annual science, research and technology forum in St Andrews, New Brunswick, last week.

“I have to thank the industry and everyone in this room. This industry is an amazing industry,” said Backman. “We do so much for Canada. We supply food and do it in the most sustainable way. If you take salmon off the plate and replace it with any other protein source, you are dramatically increasing the carbon footprint of that meal. As an industry we are innovative, we are passionate about what we do, and we are extremely conservation-minded in terms of the environment and our footprint. You deserve - as farmers and support people - recognition for that.”

ACFFA established the Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award in 2017. The award honours an industry professional who has dedicated 25 years or more in the areas of science, environment, and technology in support of the sustainable development of salmon aquaculture in Atlantic Canada.