RESEARCH - Research Summary

Environmental Integrity Theme

Research Summary

The Canadian finfish aquaculture industry produced 107, 700 tons in 2001, worth $601 million. In New Brunswick, it is the first component of the agri-food sector, producing 35, 000 tons, worth $230 million, and generating 4,500 direct and indirect jobs. It is obviously here to stay in “our coastal scape’; it has its place in the global seafood supply and demand, and in the economy of coastal communities. Due to geographic reality, market conditions, environmental and water multiple user issues, the aquaculture industry needs to accept that the scope for expansion is relatively limited. To develop sustainability, it must reflect on its current practices and analyze what can be done better or differently to increase its value, efficiency, diversity of production/competitiveness and social acceptability, while preserving environmental integrity.

This project proposes an innovative solution through the development of balanced integrated aquaculture systems by combining, in the right proportions, the cultivation of salmon with that of mussels and seaweeds, taking into consideration site specificity, operational limits, and food safety guidelines and regulations. Presently, the salmon culture industry is operating in a commodity market with relatively low profit margins. This project will allow the salmon aquaculture industry to diversify it operations in both an environmental and economic direction. The research will look at increasing the long-term profitability per cultivation unit by optimizing feeding schedules and improving feed conversion per cultivation unit (not per species in isolation as done in monoculture), as the wastes of one component (fish) are captured and converted into fertilizer or food for the other salable components (seaweeds and mussels). This research project will provide a modeling tool to evaluate not only the biological feasibility of multi-species aquaculture, but also to quantify 1) this more beneficial use/conversion of food energy, 2) the environmental services accrued from combining several species (bioremediation and compliance with upcoming discharge/effluent regulations), 3) the incremental costs and economics of scale of operations, and 4) the implications of a diversified production of marine crops on cash flow and environmental stability and on minimizing risks and public concern.

The research aims to provide convincing evidence (tools, solutions and constraints), at the environmental, economic and social levels, of the benefits of integrated aquaculture practices for the industry and government regulators to consider adopting them, and to change some public perceptions regarding the acceptability of aquaculture so that it develops to its full sustainable potential within a broader coastal management framework.

Network Investigators

Thierry Chopin, Dept. of Biology, UNB, Saint John, NB
Bruce MacDonald, Dept. of Biology, UNB, Saint John, NB
Neil Ridler, Dept. of Social Science, UNB, Saint John, NB
Shawn Robinson, DFO, St. Andrews, NB
Katsuji Haya, DFO, St. Andrews, NB
Frederick Page, DFO, St. Andrews, NB