Half the fish consumed in the world today come from fish farms
The demand for long-chain omega-3 fatty acids has increased
dramatically (commonly found in fish) Omega-3 fatty acid is known
to reduce cardiovascular diseases Salmon is a very good source of
long-chain omega-3 fatty acid Most fish farms in BC farm salmon
Most salmon farmed in BC are Atlantic salmon
Slide 4
The fish farming industry employs over 14 000 people In 2005
aquaculture products were worth over 715 million dollars Salmon
generated over 543 million dollars 85% of Canadian aquaculture
products are exported 95% of those exports end up in the US Canada
has the best potential to be the word leader in aquaculture
Slide 5
Increase the availability of food Reduce the searching,
gathering and transporting of food Increase the stability and
predictability of food availability Increase the supply and quality
of food
Slide 6
Improper aquaculture techniques have negative effects on the
environment Fish have been known to escape from their net pens into
the wild 49% escape because of the weather (storms damage or tear
holes into the nets or cages) 32% because of accidents (mechanical
or human failure) 16% because of vandalism (hippies? PETA?) 5%
because of predators (seals and other animals tear into the net
pens) The escapees then mate with the wild fishes which messes up
the spawning instincts of the offspring The waste from the fish are
directly deposited into the water The waste travels to the ocean
floor where it builds up and smothers life forms living there In
the waste there are diseases and parasites that infect the wild
fishes Sea-lice is a parasite that kills salmon and it is killing
more salmon than it has before
Slide 7
Fish cultivated in farms are fed pellets which is considered
unnatural Wild fish are used in the pellets to feed the farmed fish
Some people say that wild fish populations are depleting to feed
farmed fish Disease and parasites can spread easily because the
fish live in such close quarters The fish are given antibiotics and
drugs to keep them healthy
Slide 8
If aquaculture farmers use closed containment systems they will
be able to prevent almost all of the aforementioned cons Closed
containment systems are barriers that filter out the waste from the
net pens and recycle the clean water back into the ocean
Slide 9
Commercial fishing and wild stocks are declining and fish
farming is becoming a better alternative to get fish The farms are
regulated by the government and the fish are inspected so that they
are safe to eat The nets and cages are tested to see if they meet
government standards and they are required to be replaced often, to
prevent the fish from escaping Fish farms can be used for
recreational fishing Fresh aquaculture products can be produced in
places where they arent easily accessible such as desserts The
extra water can be used to grow crops and feed people and livestock
The crops and livestock can be used to produce extra income
Aquaculture the cost to start aquaculture farms cost very little
and can produce a lot of income