Canada salmon farmers make united pledge to be world’s best
All of Canada’s major salmon farmers have committed to a range of performance commitments intended to ensure they are “the very best producers of farm-raised salmon in the world”.
Cermaq Canada, Grieg Seafood BC, Grieg Seafood NL, Cooke Aquaculture Inc, Mowi Canada West and Mowi Canada East have all signed up to the commitments, which are listed by LoveSalmon, an initiative supported by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA).
“We have come a long way since raising the first salmon in Canada. Today, the salmon farming sector supports 14,500 jobs, mainly in rural, coastal and Indigenous communities on Canada's west and east coasts,” states LoveSalmon on its website, LoveSalmon.ca.
Led by science
“It is a sector now led by science, featuring state-of- the-art technology, and producing a low-carbon footprint and healthy protein product that is the favourite seafood choice of Canadians. Our commitments today outline the priority areas for continuous improvement in our operations on both coasts and will be followed by more detailed actions in the coming months.
“Salmon farming practices will continue to improve to meet the increasing demand for environmentally responsible, nourishing food. We are committed to being the very best producers of farm-raised salmon in the world.”
The commitments are divided into seven categories – Fish Health, Climate Change, Sustainable Feed, Food Security, Food Traceability, Ocean Health, and Public Reporting - that encompass areas in which the salmon industry has made and continues to make progress.
As well as being a statement of intent, the commitments also serve to educate the public on how modern salmon farming is carried out and to challenge messages from an anti-salmon farming lobby whose narrative has already influenced the federal government into ordering the shutdown of 19 fish farms in British Columbia.
Easier traceability
In the commitments, the farmers say health and welfare of both farmed and wild salmon is a top priority, adding that they will pursue a variety of partnerships, measures and initiatives that support wild salmon recovery, habitat restoration, and enhancement efforts.
They are committed to continuing to reduce carbon emissions and to becoming more resilient in the midst of a changing environment.
Pointing out that Canadian farm-raised salmon is full traceable from egg to plate, they say they will work to ensure consumers can more easily access the information they want about their salmon meals.
‘Transparency builds trust’
On the issue of public reporting, the farmers say: “Transparency builds trust, strengthens accountability, and improves performance.
“We are committed to working with government bodies and other key stakeholders and rightsholders to provide information about our salmon farming operations to Canadians in a way that is easily accessible and understandable.”
Thew farmers will continue to work together over the coming months to develop specific actions and targets.
