New Brunswick 'open for business and investment' in net pen salmon farming
Atlantic Canada province gives strong backing to aquaculture after federal government wields the axe on west coast
The Canadian province of New Brunswick has given strong backing to marine salmon farming in the wake of last week’s federal government announcement that open net-pens will be banned in British Columbia from mid-2029.
The decision only applies to BC, where the federal government agency Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the lead regulator for aquaculture. Elsewhere in Canada, provinces and territories are the lead regulator.
In a statement yesterday, New Brunswick’s agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries minister Margaret Johnson said the province has always been a strong supporter of the salmon aquaculture industry.
Effective regulation
“We have witnessed the growth of this industry, which is a responsible and sustainable sector within our province built upon science, technology advancements and innovation,” said Johnson.
“Our finfish growth strategy, recently revised Aquaculture Act and aquaculture-related regulations across the provincial government provide a strong and effective regulatory framework for the aquaculture sector, as well as other users of the marine space and the waters in which they operate.
We are open for business and encourage new investment in this ever-evolving sector
NB aquaculture minister Margaret Johnson
“Despite the recent federal decision on salmon farming in British Columbia, we continue to support marine-based net pen salmon farming in New Brunswick, where we are the lead regulatory agency for aquaculture. We are open for business and encourage new investment in this ever-evolving sector that supports many coastal communities.”
New Brunswick is home to global seafood heavyweight Cooke Aquaculture, which was established in 1985 with a farm site and 5,000 salmon at Kelly Cove and has grown to be the largest private family-owned seafood company in the world employing more than 13,000 people worldwide.
The province is one of Canada’s smallest with a total land area of 27,590 square miles, a little smaller than Scotland. It has a population of around 850,000, around half of whom live in rural areas, which is a greater proportion than in many other parts of Canada.
