BC summit champions salmon sector

FISHERIES scientists and chefs will gather in the western Canadian coastal city of Campbell River this week to celebrate and discuss the latest advancements in aquaculture.
The British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association’s summit, Seafood West, which runs from September 27-28, will focus on the value of independent science, partnerships, realising potential, and telling the story of salmon farming in the region.
As well as scientists, delegates will hear from the federal government working on Canada’s agri-food and aquaculture’s strategy, and the BC Salmon Farmers Association’s new executive director, former provincial government deputy minister John Paul Fraser (pictured).
The BC Salmon Farmers Association’s AGM will be timed to coincide with the conference, Sea West News reported.
‘The AGM and summit are a great opportunity to come together, to celebrate this important industry and look at the latest technology and advancements in aquaculture,’ said Shawn Hall, of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA).
‘Salmon farming is important to BC, supporting almost 7,000 jobs while providing about three-quarters of the salmon harvested in the province each year on just 0.05 per cent of our coast.
‘At this event we will celebrate our successes, explore the opportunities ahead, and focus our dialogue on ideas and actions that can allow our industry to continue to grow in concert with the environment, with wild salmon, and with the communities who depend on it,’ he said.
The salmon farming sector in British Columbia has long been targeted by anti-fish farming campaigners, mostly lobbying on behalf of wild fishing interests.
The biggest producer in the area, Marine Harvest, had to resort to a court injunction recently to protect its sites and the welfare of its fish, after an invasion by protesters.