At the FAO’s Committee on Fisheries (COFI) meeting in Rome last July, member states celebrated the increase in aquaculture production, which surpassed capture fisheries for the first time. They were also excited about putting ‘Blue Transformation’ into action, part of which is about making aquaculture safe and sustainable through principles like the ‘Blue Standard.’ This is certainly a movement in the right direction but it is not easy to implement. In many instances, various aspects of aquaculture, such as space conflict, escapes and interference with wild population, and pollution, are the causes for concern. The promise of jobs and economic return may also not materialize.
This is the situation in the Southwest coast of Newfoundland, which is an ideal location for salmon farming according to the industry but is also an important livelihood, cultural and heritage area for Indigenous communities living there. Debate is on-going in Burgeo and the nearby communities related to the proposed National Marine Conservation Area in the Southwest coast fjords, where aquaculture industry plans to farm salmon.
To help inform the discussion, a group of researchers put together a series of ‘Best for Blue’ research briefs, highlighting key considerations and principles for sustainable aquaculture in the area. These briefs are based on studies conducted by the researchers as well as the discussion at a workshop organized by the research team.
Blue Sky Collaboration for Marine Conservation
In December of 2024 Moving Together for Marine Conservation project, in partnership with TBTI Canada, hosted a fireside chat, ‘Blue Sky Collaboration for Marine Conservation‘, to discuss and explore inclusive engagement, partnership building, and collaboration in advancing Canada’s marine conservation goals. This brief captures key principles and strategies shared by members of government departments, environmental organizations, researchers, and community groups who participated in the conversation that day.
Blue Standard Aquaculture
In recent years, Newfoundland and Labrador has experienced substantial growth in aquaculture, particularly salmon farming. Since the collapse of the cod fishery in 1992, aquaculture has become an attractive alternative. While this industry supports economic development and food security, it introduces challenges related to environmental sustainability, community engagement, and Indigenous rights. Lessons from poor consultation processes in past aquaculture development projects suggest the need for careful considerations and inclusive approaches, particularly in regions like Burgeo, which intersect with Mi’kmaq land.
The Promise of Employment
With low fertility rates, outmigration and an aging population, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has been facing challenges in attracting and retaining people and workers, especially in coastal and rural areas. The Way Forward on Aquaculture Sector Plan (2017) is a joint effort between the industry and the provincial government to foster job creation in the aquaculture sector. The aquaculture industry, specifically the salmonid aquaculture industry, has been the hope for the province in terms of employment and economic growth.
Escaped Farmed Salmon - How it is Dealt with
Farmed salmon escape is a major concern that needs to be dealt with for sustainable aquaculture industry. Based on the examination of policies on farmed salmon escapes across 14 major salmon-producing regions globally, we learned that regulations vary, and even strict measures only reduce, not prevent, escapes. As “fish out of place,” farmed salmon are bred for captivity and reliant on commercial feed, making their presence in the wild an ecological concern. This brief highlights environmental concerns of salmon aquaculture, policy development in the past two decades, and regulatory progress in addressing farmed salmon escapes.
Is Triploid Salmon a Solution to Farmed Salmon Escapes?
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), a key player in Canada’s salmon aquaculture, faces environmental challenges, particularly from farmed salmon escapes that threaten wild populations through genetic introgression, competition, and disease. This brief is based on a chapter from the thesis Policies and Technologies for a ‘Fish Out of Place’ by Narges Jalili Kolavani, supervised by Dr. Charles Mather, Department of Geography, Memorial University, which examines triploid salmon as a technological solution to these challenges. Below highlights key findings from the research, especially how economic priorities often overshadow ecological concerns, and calls for a more critical approach to aquaculture expansion.