BC Salmon Farmers Show Results From Record Prices, Strategic Investment

BC Salmon Farmers Association Seafood September 29, 2017

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – An independent economic analysis of the salmon aquaculture industry in British Columbia shows an increase of 37% over the past three years in its value to the province, resulting in the creation of over 1,600 jobs. Overall, farming and processing 92,800 Metric Tonnes of salmon in 2016 resulted in over $1.5-billion towards the B.C. economy.

  • The total output generated by the BC farm-raised salmon industry increased 37 percent from $1,144.0 million to $1,561.9 million. 
  • The total GDP generated by the BC farm-raised salmon industry increased 36 percent from $411.5 million to $557.8 million. 
  • The total employment generated by the BC farm-raised salmon industry increased 33 percent from 4,977 to 6,610 full-time equivalents. 
  • The government taxes generated by the BC farm-raised salmon industry increased 39 percent from $62.0 to $86.1 million. 
  • The total production of farm-raised salmon in B.C. has increased 8% since 2002.

“The full value chain in the salmon aquaculture sector has turned record high prices over much of the past three years into an unprecedented investment in the sector including farming infrastructure, process plants, land-based hatcheries, and marine vessels leading – the net result is an increase in business performance, as well as an increase in environmental and biological performance”, said BCSFA Executive Director Jeremy Dunn.  

On September 18th, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program recognized B.C’s industry by changing its recommendation of B.C. farm-raised Atlantic salmon to “good alternative”.  B.C. is the only such region in the world to have this distinction for its entire Atlantic salmon production. 

At the centre of the investment and innovation story in B.C. is BCSFA Member Poseidon Ocean Systems in Campbell River. Port Hardy native Matt Clarke launched the company in December of 2015 to provide full service aquaculture engineering and support services, focusing on collaborative problem solving and new product development for the sector. Less than two years later, the Poseidon team is 15 strong in Campbell River, they have opened an office in Newfoundland, and have been looked to by the industry to engineer better farms, better moorings, and leading-edge aeration equipment designed to improve biological results and environmental performance in B.C. and internationally.

Salmon farmers have worked closely with First Nations partners through this period with 20 Nations and many First Nations owned businesses benefiting from working together. 

About the BC Salmon Farmers Association:

Farm-raised salmon is B.C.’s highest valued seafood product, the province’s top agricultural export, and generates over $1.5-billion towards the B.C. economy, resulting in over 6,600 jobs. 

The BC Salmon Farmers Association represents 52 businesses and organizations throughout the value chain of finfish aquaculture in B.C. Our members account for over 95% of the annual provincial harvest of farm-raised salmon, 100% of the salmon feed produced in B.C., and most of the service and suppliers involved in ensuring that over $700-million (2016 value) of salmon raised in B.C. gets to domestic and global markets.

Source: BC Salmon Farmers Association