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In response to the latest statistical findings, the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has called upon the federal government to prioritize evidence-based decision-making in ocean-based aquaculture. Their plea aims to facilitate the recovery of lost production in the salmon farming sector, ensuring continued access to affordable seafood for Canadian households.
Highlighting the significance of farm-raised salmon as a staple in Canadian diets, CAIA underscores the substantial decline in production since its peak in 2016. This reduction translates to a significant loss of over 390 million salmon meals in total, with approximately 192 million fewer meals reaching Canadian tables due to decreased domestic production.
Canada, once ranked as the world's fourth-largest salmon producer, now faces the challenge of defending its position amidst drastically reduced production figures. Despite possessing vast bio-physical potential and boasting the longest coastline globally, Canada's 2023 production pales in comparison to that of leading producers like Norway, Chile, and Scotland.
Tim Kennedy, President and CEO of CAIA, emphasizes the repeated desire of Canadians for increased access to domestically produced food, citing the denial of such access as evident in declining salmon production. Kennedy stresses the sustainability of Canada's modern ocean salmon farming practices, all farms being certified to rigorous international standards and operating under stringent regulations to safeguard the environment.
Kennedy further challenges the basis of recent farm closures in British Columbia, asserting that they lack scientific justification and fail to prioritize the health and interests of Canadian consumers. He highlights peer-reviewed research indicating minimal impact of salmon farms on wild populations and underscores the nutritional benefits of salmon consumption.
Expressing concern over the substantial reduction in Canadian-raised salmon, Kennedy emphasizes the disparity between the nation's vast potential and its dwindling production. Despite steady market demand, Canada's utilization of less than 1 percent of viable coastline for ocean farming reflects a missed opportunity to bolster domestic food security.
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