Scotian Pride 2009Presentation Jan 30, 2009

Topics

• Creative Salmon’s movement towards Organic

• Pacific Organic Seafood Association

• National Organic Aquaculture Standards

• Location• History• Sustainable Farming• Organic Certification

About Creative SalmonAbout Creative Salmon

We are located in SE Clayoquot Sound

History• Established in 1990 • Canadian owned and operated• One of the smallest salmon farming companies in

the world• We are now fully integrated from broodstock,

smolts, sw growout, harvest, and processing.

• Focus on Quality not Quantity

Sustainable Farming

Generating economic benefits while operating with respect for:• our employees• our community• our environment• our fish• our suppliers• our customers

Pacific Organic Seafood Association (POSA)• Background

1996 • Early discussions between 3 companies

2001 - 2002• Several informal meetings between interested parties

2002• First POSA standards are developed

2004 – 2008• Back and forth discussions with the agency

responsible provincial certification

2009• Next steps.

Organic Aquaculture Standard Setting Organizations  BFA – Biological Farmers of Australia• BIO GRO – New Zealand Organic Standards• BIO SUISSE – Association of the Swiss Organic Agriculture Organizations • CAN/OGB – Canadian National Standards Board• COABC – Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia• CODEX ALIMENTARIUS – Codex Alimentarius Commission• COG – Canadian Organic Growers• DEBIO - Norway• EU REGULATION 1804/99• IFOAM – International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements• JAPANESE AGRICULTURAL STANDARD OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS• KRAV – Kontrollforeningen for Ekologisk odling• NASAA – The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia Ltd• NOP – National Organic Program• NOSB – National Organic Standards Board• NATURLAND – Naturland e.V.• SGS – SGS Organic Production Standard• SOIL ASSOCIATION – Draft Standards

POSA Members

• Creative Salmon Co. Ltd. – Chinook Salmon

• Kyuquot Seafoods – Seaweed, Scallops, Black Cod

• Omega Pacific – Chinook Salmon

• Pacific Seafoods - Processor

• Sablefish Canada – Black Cod

• Sea Spring Hatchery – hatchery producer - Chinook

• Swift Aquaculture – Coho Salmon

• Taplow Feeds – Feed Supplier

• Target Marine – Sturgeon

• Totem Seafoods – Black Cod

• Yellow Island – Chinook Salmon

Pacific Organic Seafood Association (POSA)

• Objectives– Food Production– Animal Welfare– Environmental– Social– Preservation of Wild Aquatic Flora

and Fauna

Food Production Objectives

• Production of wholesome food products

• Providing a significant contribution to a healthy diet

Food Production

• Creative Salmon Market Fish– No antibiotic treatments since Oct 2001– No treatments.– Diet of fish meal, fish oil and organically

certified wheat– Natural Pigment (Phaffia)– High levels of Omega 3 / 6’s

Animal Welfare Objectives

• Promotion of the health and welfare of the fish

• Minimizing stress

• Reducing the incidence of disease

• Meeting the fishes nutritional, physiological and behavioural needs

Animal Health & Welfare

• Five Freedoms– Freedom from malnutrition– Freedom from thermal and physical discomfort – Freedom from injury and disease– Freedom from fear and distress – Freedom from unnecessary restrictions of

behaviour

Animal Health and Welfare

Animal Health and Welfare

• Fish Health– Quality Smolts– Quality Feed

• Fish Husbandry– Health monitoring– Minimal handling– Low densities

Animal Health and WelfareAntibiotic Use by Creative Salmon in Market Fish

Animal Health and Welfare

• Harvesting– Fasting time– Percussion Stunning– Electric Stunning

Harvesting

PercussionStunning

Harvesting

ElectricStunning

Animal Health and Welfare

• Broodstock– Require extra handling

• More stress

– Antibiotic use– Logistics

• Separate sites

• Physical separation

• Overlap of broodyears

Environmental Objectives

• Consideration for the Environment

• Minimal impact• Healthy water

conditions• Sustainable foodstuff• Minimizing disease• Preventing escapes

Environment

• Monitoring program to measure impacts– First program of its type on the west

coast – preceded government regulations

• Nets are not treated with Antifoulants

• Site Fallowing • Feed Management

Environment

EnvironmentFallowing• Short term

- 3 to 4 months• Long term

- 2 to 4 years• Reduces environmental footprint• Our newest site incorporates a

second site location to increase fallowing options.

EnvironmentFeed Management – Underwater Cameras

• Since 1996 – early adopter!• Deployed in every pen• Every meal is monitored and

adjusted to appetite• Feed waste is minimized• Minimal stress

Social Objectives

• The encouragement of the use of local resources and services

• A safe, healthy and sustainable working environment for employees

• The promotion of organic aquaculture to meet consumer needs and to foster sustainable aquaculture

Our Employees

Our Community• First aquaculture company in BC to employ a First

Nations Liaison representative• Active member of the community

Community Involvement– Baseball, Basketball

– Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre

– Coastal Family Resource Center

– Cops for Cancer

– Edge to Edge Marathon

– First Nations Surf Camp

– Fish Contributions to Non-Profits

– Golf Tournaments

– Legion Salmon Derby BBQ

– Music Festivals

– Pacific Rim Arts Society

– SCAT Program

– School Farm Tours – Starlight Extravaganza – Strawberry Island

Research Center – Tla-o-qui-aht First

Nations Canoe Races – Tofino Business

Association – Tofino Salmon

Enhancement Society – Tofino Skateboard

Park – Ukee Days – Whale Festival – Wickaninnish

Elementary School Hot Lunch Program

Organic Aquaculture Standards- Federal

• The current focus is on salmon and trout for finfish, and mussels and oysters for shellfish

• Other species to be considered in the future based on interest

• Process has just stared will take a few years to complete

Thank YouThank You