RESEARCH - Research Summary

Animal Production Theme

Research Summary

Marine finfish aquaculture in Canada is based primarily on the farming of Atlantic salmon (>95% of production) and some Chinook and rainbow trout. However, strong global competition and a decline in the wild fisheries, has made the aquaculture production of non-salmonid species an attractive alternative. This project focuses on new species from Eastern Canada that have committed industrial backing or have been prioritised by Provincial governments for development. These species are in various stages of production ranging from haddock (>300,000 juveniles per year), cod (>50,000 juveniles per year) to winter flounder and wolfish which are in an early stage of development. Though winter flounder and wolfish culture is not as advanced as haddock and cod, industrial and provincial support is being provided to accelerate the commercialisation of these two species.

There are “basic production protocols” in place for all these species but problems still exist in achieving consistent high survival of robust juveniles. There are “critical survival periods” during the egg to juvenile production stage of each species and some of these are species specific. The research will focus on some of these areas using a multi-disciplinary, multi-species, coordinated team approach. taking advantage of the diverse backgrounds of the research team and the specialised facilities that exist at the participating institutions.

Network Investigators

Joe Brown, OSC, MUN, St. John’s, NL
Pierre Blier, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC
Susan Douglas, NRC-IMB, Halifax, NS
Jean-Denis Dutil, DFO, Maurice-Lamontagne Institute, Mont-Joli, QC
Stewart Johnson, NRC-IMB, Halifax NS
Santosh Lall, NRC-IMB, Halifax NS
Yvan Lambert, DFO, Maurice-Lamontagne Institute, Mont-Joli, QC
Chris Parrish, OSC, MUN, St. John’s, NL