Salmon tops BC seafood sector
Farmed seafood sales rose by 31% in BC last year, largely thanks to increased volumes and values of farmed salmon.
BC's top seafood commodity last year was farm raised salmon, which had a value of $431.7 million in sales and represented 49.8% of the province's $867 million seafood sector.
“Demand for salmon raised in BC has never been higher, with exports reaching a record 11 markets. The United States remains our most important trading partner, and will be so for some time, however we are encouraged at the market diversification and the prospects for growing demand in the future – particularly in Asia,” said Jeremy Dunn, Executive Director for the BC Salmon Farmers Association.
Overall farmed seafood production increased 31% in 2015, reaching to 96,000 tonnes, while landed values increased by 20% to $497 million. Commercial fishers harvested 159,000 tonnes of wild fish, shellfish and marine plants in 2015, down 5% from 2014, with values of $370 million.
“BC's reputation for sustainable, high quality seafood from clean waters continues to grow around the Pacific Rim. The ministry’s programs help us better meet the needs of our customers in these high value markets. It’s a partnership between industry and government that’s working well,” said Christina Burridge, the Executive Director of the BC Seafood Alliance.
