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Government must act on opportunity to develop green aquaculture industry in Canada
The opportunity to invest in closed containment technology to raise farmed salmon in Canada is enormous. Not only will it alleviate the chronic environmental impacts of open net-cages, it will support long-term economic growth for coastal communities and allow Canada to be at the forefront of green technology. Coupled with improvements in feed that reduce wild fish inputs, closed containment offers a sustainable way forward for aquaculture.
Send this fax to the federal and provincial government asking for their immediate support.
Dear Recipient
Aquaculture is increasingly being relied upon to meet global seafood demand. At the same time, salmon farming regions worldwide are suffering from the negative environmental impacts of open net-cages. Sea lice and disease are now disrupting production in Chile and Norway, the world’s largest producers of farmed salmon. The implementation of closed containment technology can address sea lice, disease and other environmental problems, representing a significant economic opportunity that is in line with the direction towards sustainability being seen in the marketplace.
The transition to a sustainable aquaculture industry in Canada would provide long-term aquaculture employment in coastal communities and reduce the conflict with industries dependent on wild salmon or other marine resources. Canada can be at the forefront of green technology development in this sector – with the potential for trade of sustainable farmed salmon and the export of green closed containment technology.
There have been repeated calls by regional governments, government-funded committees, community groups and concerned citizens for government to fund closed containment development. The world's largest salmon farming company, Marine Harvest, is also publicly supporting the establishment of a government fund to leverage investment in closed containment technology.
Investment and support on the part of government is essential for Canadian businesses to become frontrunners in the closed containment industry, as is the case with most emerging technologies.
I urge your government to act now on this opportunity to make Canada a leader in sustainable aquaculture by allocating significant funds to a Closed System Aquaculture Innovation and Development Fund immediately.
Your action today can help to ensure a sustainable future for Canadians that maintains the prosperity of coastal communities and our position as a leading seafood exporter.
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