British Columbia’s coastline, which extends over 25,000 km, and unique geography provide for a significant seafood industry. In 2020, BC harvested 272,000 tonnes of seafood, amounting to a wholesale value of $1.62 billion. The aquaculture and fisheries sectors provide thousands of jobs to British Columbians, employing 9,722 people in 2020.
The aquaculture sector grows finfish, shellfish and marine plants for harvest. In 2020, aquaculture had a wholesale value of $822 million , 51% of the total seafood value. The most significant aquaculture species in BC is Atlantic salmon, with a wholesale value of $710 million in 2020 , 86% of the aquaculture value and 44% of the total seafood value. Farmed Atlantic salmon is also BC’s most valuable Agrifood export ($566 million in 2020).
Shellfish aquaculture is another significant part of BC’s aquaculture sector with a wholesale value of almost $33 million in 2020.
First Nations have been engaged in shellfish aquaculture in BC since time immemorial and more recently supporting growing involvement in contemporary aquaculture . 78% of B.C. salmon production
is carried out under partnerships with First Nations who hold approximately 20% of the jobs in B.C. associated with salmon farming. First Nations are also active participants in contemporary shellfish aquaculture and have a keen interest in the emerging seaweed farming sector . Many First Nations in BC have identified aquaculture as an important part of reconciliation, economic self determination, and food security and sovereignty.
While aquaculture has grown significantly since the 1980s, production
in both finfish and shellfish has plateaued in recent years. The reasons for this are multifactorial, ranging from public perception issues, regulatory uncertainty leading to waning investment and, more recently, existential threats from climate change. This presentation will review the current state of the sector, factors that have influenced sector growth,
and options and considerations for moving the
industry forward.