Closed Containment Fish Farms Viability

[IronNoggin]

The Release:

Closed containment fish farming viable - DFO
Courier-Islander
Published: Friday, November 26, 2010

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has released a new report that affirms the economic viability of closed containment technology for salmon aquaculture.

The department also recommends building a pilot scale or demonstration system as a next step. The Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR) says it is delighted that the federal government is finally recognizing the potential of closed containment technology as a serious alternative to harmful net-cage operations.

The Feasibility Study of Closed-Containment Options for the British Columbia Aquaculture Industry recognizes that land-based recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) are likely to show positive returns and that once the technology becomes more widely adopted within the sector, capital and operating costs may continue to go down.

This new study shows that closed containment salmon farming is economically viable, something we have said for years," says David Lane of T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation and CAAR. "In fact, numerous companies are moving ahead with plans for closed containment in B.C., creating a potential multi-million dollar sustainable salmon farming industry, with new jobs and an economic boost for coastal communities."

DFO's report goes on to recommend the construction of a pilot project at commercial-scale to demonstrate the system's technical and financial feasibility in real world conditions. CAAR has long called for government investment to spur development of the technology and is urging the federal government to allocate funds for this purpose in the 2011 federal budget.

"Our federal government must step up to the plate now to ensure that this green technology moves forward quickly so that Canada can capitalize on this enormous opportunity in sustainable aquaculture," says Catherine Stewart of Living Oceans Society and CAAR.

CAAR is also working with Marine Harvest Canada (MHC) on their proposal for a commercial-scale pilot project.

MHC is currently undergoing a site selection process on Vancouver Island, with a preference for the North Island.

© Courier-Islander (Campbell River) 2010

And the very swift response:
Closed containment press release seen as a joke.

Submitted by editor on November 27, 2010 - 15:04

A report on closed containment fish farming was released this past week by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The report (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/lib-bib/nasapi-inpasa/BC-aquaculture-CB-eng.htm) looked at the financial viability of several ways to grow salmon, which included land based tanks, ocean net pens and ocean solid walled systems. Land tanks shows a marginal return on investment after 3 years (4%) and ocean net pens returned 52%. All other options failed to return a profit. The government then, and rightly so, recommends a land based system (Recirculating Aquaculture System, RAS) pilot project to see if the estimated financial returns are accurate or can be improved.

The Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform (CAAR), came quickly out of the gate with a press release entitled "DFO study confirms viability of closed containment technology for salmon aquaculture". (http://farmedanddangerous.org/uploads/File/news_releases/2010/caar-cc-dfo-nov2010.pdf) (note-the CAAR release does not link to the DFO report). We're not sure if they actually read the study? Cause that ain't what it said at all. It said 4% return. Maybe that's why none of these wingnuts have made it in the real world of business.

CAAR was hoping journalists would just take their word for it and not actually read the study. Thankfully, respected journalists are becoming all too aware of the games played by CAAR and their U.S. Foundation friends.
Scott Simpson at the Vancouver Sun did pick up the story and wrote this reasonable article: "Fisheries department recommends salmon aquaculture pilot project." (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Fisheries+department+recommends+salmon+aquaculture +pilot+project/3878099/story.html#ixzz16EFbfgy1)

Yep, that's accurate.

But then Scott must have read a little further and the next day reported, "Open salmon pens more profitable" (http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Open+salmon+pens+more+profitable/3881761/story.html).

Yep, even more accurate.

For comparison sake, the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) released a statement about the DFO study as well: "Some answers, more questions for closed containment". (http://www.salmonfarmers.org/some-answers-more-questions-closed-containment) And note-it did link to the DFO study (http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/lib-bib/nasapi-inpasa/BC-aquaculture-CB-eng.htm).


http://www.farmfreshsalmon.org/blog/closed-containment-press-release-seen-joke

[cariboobill]

Here we go again.

Salmon farming, like all farming has impacts to wildlife/fisheries. When the oceans are all depleted, farming will be the only answer, closed containment or open pens, it all about risk. Discharge water still travels back to the ocean.

Salmon farming in BC is nothing compared to the rest of the worlds fish farming. Over 50% of all seafood in the world is farmed.

Most people in BC interested in this subject as it is emotional and a sign of our environment, as well as easy to take shots at with little real education on the subject. Most think it is a simple issue, while it is not.

Why do we not see the same concern with agriculture, because it is all about risk. To the government, farming, both aquaculture and agriculture is an acceptable risk.

I happen to agree that aquaculture is an acceptable risk, provided siting issues are addressed as the rest of the regulations are working. The aquaculture industry is NOT subsidized like commercial fisheries.

CB
Decline of fish stocks are very complicated and fish farming is one of the many environmental issues, including over fishing and habitat damage from development.

[Trapper D]

ever gone clamming in and around broughton arcapelago, probably not, cause the clams suffacated under the inch thick sludge from the net pens, ya farming will be the only answer when slack regulations allow this to happen

[DGuest]

Here we go again.

Salmon farming, like all farming has impacts to wildlife/fisheries. When the oceans are all depleted, farming will be the only answer, closed containment or open pens, it all about risk. Discharge water still travels back to the ocean.

Salmon farming in BC is nothing compared to the rest of the worlds fish farming. Over 50% of all seafood in the world is farmed.

Most people in BC interested in this subject as it is emotional and a sign of our environment, as well as easy to take shots at with little real education on the subject. Most think it is a simple issue, while it is not.

Why do we not see the same concern with agriculture, because it is all about risk. To the government, farming, both aquaculture and agriculture is an acceptable risk.

I happen to agree that aquaculture is an acceptable risk, provided siting issues are addressed as the rest of the regulations are working. The aquaculture industry is NOT subsidized like commercial fisheries.

CB
Decline of fish stocks are very complicated and fish farming is one of the many environmental issues, including over fishing and habitat damage from development.

It's very rare to find someone with a reasonable and educated comment with regards to aquaculture. I 100% agree with what you've said here. I know several people who have worked in the industry for over 25yrs, and not surprisingly, they can confirm that most of what the media and these environmental groups have to say is BS.

[115 or bust]

Marine Harvest Canada's already put out a tender pending location of a suitable property maybe 6 or 8 months ago, they are investing millions of dollars in the project, we'll see how it goes.

[IronNoggin]

The reason (at this point) there is such a wide difference in profit margins is simple:

- The industry, in the case of closed containment systems, would be spending much more in BC on jobs, construction, energy, etc. to build and run the farms. Higher labor, infrastructure and operational costs are a few of the reasons closed containment systems show a lower profit margin. Over time, with experience and as the systems become progressively developed, some (but not all) of those could eventually be reduced.

Methinks we want an aquaculture industry that has a reasonable profit margin to ensure viability, but also one that generates a lot of economic activity and jobs in BC.

What we have now on the other hand is an industry that reaps massive profits (> 50%) which are immediately exported to foreign aquaculture investors. This is in effect an industry that is a profit cash cow for foreign multi-nationals. And an industry that reaps such profits at the direct cost to our environment and wild fish stocks, while providing the bare minimum in terms of employment and related economic activity here.

Of course "They" will fight this tooth and nail, as witnessed by the "Joke" reference in their counter release. That is to be expected. ANY potential threat to such massive cash influxes will be viewed as extremely problematic. Once the money tap has been turned on, they certainly do not want to slow the flow. Regardless of the impacts. After all, they already screwed their (and others') backyards pretty well to death. No real consequences for them doing it here. Some might go so far as to suggest that end result might even prove of benefit - once the wild stocks are gone, who else to provide the necessary protein to the ever hungry, ever growing masses http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.png

And that ain't so damn cheery...
Nog

[Ozone]

Feel free to invest. Most are publicly traded companies. Heck you could even apply for a job, or did you get enough weeks in already?


while providing the bare minimum in terms of employment

You may want to ask some Mayors on the north end of the Island about this.


once the wild stocks are gone

This comming from a guy who kills wild salmon for a living. Did you forget already the sockeye and pink runs of late.

The sky is not falling, chicken little.

[ruger#1]

There is a guy in Chilliwack that farms coho in tanks in his barn, They use the waste water for crayfish which they also sell to restaurants and the rest of the water is used to water the garden. Looks like a good operation. http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/theprogress/business/101997508.html?mobile=true

[DGuest]

I highly doubt they see profits of 50%, it was only a few years ago that Chile was almost putting everyone out of business with their rock bottom production costs. So if the profit is now 50% why hasn't the cost of salmon gone through the roof?

If anyone wants to piss and moan about aquaculture they better be willing to paint agriculture with the same brush because agriculture is no better, if anything it's worse.

[Ubertuber]

Salmon farming in BC is nothing compared to the rest of the worlds fish farming. Over 50% of all seafood in the world is farmed.
Can you cite this? Are the over 50% you mention meat eating fish or veg eating fish?
Thanks

[DGuest]

Can you cite this? Are the over 50% you mention meat eating fish or veg eating fish?
Thanks

I was interested in the answer as well.... found this site in about 30 seconds, they are saying 47% of the seafood humans consume is farmed.

http://www.seafoodsource.com/newsarticledetail.aspx?id=4294990550

[spreerider]

would you invest all your money to see a 4% return with high risk of loosing it all?

i wouldent i would pick the 50% return with a low risk for sure.

and i do not believe farms have smothered the entire brougham with sludge, they just dont put that much in the water,
its far more likely that a land slide caused sludge that would smother clams.
infact clams and oysters do better when located in close proximidy to fish farms as clams and oysters are filter feeders and eat the kind of waste that farms exhibit.
look into intergrated aquaculture.

on land farms probably contribute to more toxins and silt getting into the ocean and covering and killing clam beds.

Tofino has amazing clam and oyster beds and they have a higher density of fish farms.