The extensive coastline of the east coast of Canada and the United States creates a large diversity of environments which each present a unique set of challenges and opportunities for aquaculture installations and operations. The coast has both sheltered sites for which traditional finfish farming equipment is suitable as well as exposed open water environments which require equipment and operating procedures that are specifically designed for such high energy sites. The viability of an open-ocean finfish farming industry is assessed in the context of the challenges and successes of existing farms in other countries and locales.
Fully exposed sites create engineering and operational challenges, which can be amplified by the high cost of labor in North America. However, the industry is transitioning towards more digital and automated operations making farms more viable and competitive. Local infrastructure within the region is also more amenable to operating a complex, technologically advanced farm than more remote sites. Furthermore, basing production closer to major markets and the ability to market a locally produced fish makes for a more compelling and profitable model. Examples of active open-ocean farms operating in foreign countries and remote indicate that an open-ocean industry in the Northeast North America could be viable.