Farm Animals

Fish farming

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Atlantic salmon farm off the coast of British Columbia
Grieg Seafood BC
Atlantic salmon farm off the coast of British Columbia

Canada has the world’s longest coastline, the world’s largest freshwater system, and the world’s largest tidal range, so it’s little surprise that aquaculture—also called fish farming—is a natural choice for our country.

Canadian fish farmers raise more than a dozen types of fish and shellfish. The main three species of finfish raised are salmon, rainbow trout, and arctic char; mussels and oysters are the most common types of shellfish farmed in Canada.

B.C.’s salmon industry supports approximately 7,000 jobs, and contributes about $1.5 billion to the province’s economy every year. Three-quarters of the salmon harvested in B.C. every year are raised on farms. Environmental and social sustainability are a priority, and the majority of B.C. salmon farms are certified, or are working towards certification, in independent, globally-recognized standards for salmon production.

Aqua-what? Growing plants with fish

Some vertical farms that grow plants indoors are also raising fish – and using the waste from the fish as fertilizer for the plants. It’s an approach to sustainable, circular farming called aquaponics.