OTTAWA, ON: Canada’s seafood farmers today welcomed a new federal review of science-based decision-making in aquaculture.

“Aquaculture in Canada today is leading the way with science and the very highest environmental, food safety and social standards. Working in partnership with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, coastal communities and Canada’s Indigenous peoples, we have built a responsible and sustainable farmed seafood sector that we can all be very proud of,” said Timothy Kennedy, Executive Director of CAIA. “Any efforts to increase engagement with Canadians and to develop trust and understanding of the science are welcomed.”

Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard has asked Canada’s Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer, to lead an independent expert panel to provide recommendations on the appropriate use, consideration, and communication of scientific evidence in protecting the marine environment in decision-making on aquaculture.

“Farmed seafood in Canada is sustainable, diverse and growing. We are playing a leadership role on environmental stewardship and creating high value middle class jobs. We are excited by the future opportunities.”

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization projects that aquaculture will account for two-thirds of the global food fish consumption by 2030.

According to the latest Statistics Canada data, Canadian seafood farmers produced $1.35 billion of fresh, nutritious seafood in 2016. Our farming and processing activities generated over  $5 billion in economic activity, $2 billion in GDP, and more than 25,000 full-time jobs for Canadians earning an estimated $1.16 billion in wages in 2016, with significant Indigenous participation across the nation.

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For more information please contact:

Sheri Beaulieu, sheri.beaulieu@aquaculture.ca
Twitter: @CDNaquaculture @TimJKennedy