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KEY FIGURES
Table of Contents
Seafood is the largest single food commodity exported by Canada. Canada is the fifth largest seafood exporter in the world. In 2003, wild harvest and aquaculture production totalled over CAN$ 2.9 billion.
Aquaculture is a relatively new commercial activity in Canada and in many other parts of the world, but already it occupies a significant position in the seafood production sector. Cultured fish and seafood production was valued at CAN$ 586 million in 2003, comprising approximately one fifth of all Canadian fisheries and aquaculture production.
In this fact book, you will find the latest figures featuring a sampling of economic indicators of the Canadian aquaculture industry.
Production |
Value |
|
Salmon [1] |
105,050 |
434,170 |
Trout [1] |
5,661 |
26,479 |
Steelhead [1] |
1,150 |
6,324 |
Other [2] |
7,343 |
45,378 |
Total fish |
119,204 |
512,351 |
Clams |
1,500 |
7,600 |
Oysters |
12,784 |
18,370 |
Mussels |
20,510 |
30,681 |
Scallops |
145 |
835 |
Other |
582 |
6,082 |
Total Shellfish |
35,521 |
63,568 |
Total |
154,725 |
575,919 |
Re-stocking [3] |
909 |
9,625 |
Total |
155,634 |
585,544 |
Source: Statistics Canada
The production and value of Aquaculture include the amount and value produced on sites and excludes hatcheries or value added products.

Source: Statistics Canada

Source: Statistics Canada
1) See acronyms for Provinces and Territories on last page.

Source: Statistics Canada

Source: Statistics Canada, BCMAFF, MAPAQ, NSDAF, University of Guelph

Source: Statistics Canada, BCMAFF, MAPAQ, NSDAF, University of Guelph
Aquaculture Gross Value Added 2003
A. Sources of output |
CAN$ (million) |
|
Sales of aqua products/services |
715 |
|
Whole fish dressed, fresh or chilled |
351 |
|
Fish eggs & live fish for grow-out |
33 |
|
Whole fish live (excluding for grow-out) |
36 |
|
Whole fish dressed & frozen |
11 |
|
Fish fillets, fresh or frozen |
182 |
|
Fish, dried, smoked or in brine |
0 |
|
Total finfish [1] |
644 |
|
Total molluscs |
67 |
|
Other goods & services |
4 |
|
Subsidies |
1 |
|
Other operating revenue |
15 |
|
Total operating revenue |
731 |
|
Change in inventory value - goods |
-9 |
|
Gross output |
723 |
|
B. Product inputs |
||
Product expenses |
511 |
|
Feed |
233 |
|
Therapeutants |
8 |
|
Purchases, eggs/fish - grow-out |
44 |
|
Purchases, fish - processing/resale |
70 |
|
Insurance premiums |
11 |
|
Energy (electricity, fuel, etc.) |
11 |
|
Goods transportation & storage |
23 |
|
Processing services |
49 |
|
Rental & leasing expenses |
5 |
|
Maintenance/repairs, buildings |
4 |
|
Maintenance/repairs, machinery |
13 |
|
Professional services |
9 |
|
Other operating expenses |
31 |
|
Change in inventory value -raw materials |
-4 |
|
Total of product inputs |
507 |
|
C. Gross value added (factor cost) |
216 |
|
D. Selected primary inputs |
||
Salaries & wages |
102 |
|
Employer portion of employee benefits |
10 |
|
Depreciation |
39 |
|
Interest paid |
22 |
|
Source: Statistics Canada
1) Contains confidential data.
Definition: The gross value added by the industry to the economy is the difference between gross output and total of product inputs. Complete description of concepts and methods are contained in the publication Aquaculture Statistics 2003, Statistics Canada - Catalogue number 23-222-XIE.

Source: Statistics Canada
Employment & Average Salary for Medium & Large Operations [1] 2003
| Employment # |
Average salary CAN$ |
Total salary CAN$ |
Revenue size cut-offs |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
NL |
210 |
14,286 |
3,000,000 |
46,000 |
PE |
620 |
18,065 |
11,200,000 |
46,000 |
NS |
275 |
22,545 |
6,200,000 |
70,000 |
NB |
1,260 |
26,190 |
33,000,000 |
250,000 |
QC |
190 |
16,842 |
3,200,000 |
46,000 |
ON |
190 |
22,105 |
4,200,000 |
46,000 |
BC |
1,250 |
32,800 |
41,000,000 |
250,000 |
| Canada | 3,995 |
25,482 |
101,800,000 |
Source: Statistics Canada
1) Medium and large operations are greater than the minimum cut-off for each province, that cut-off ranging from gross business revenues of $30 000 to $500 000 depending on the province. Taxation data is used for operations smaller than this minimum so no employment data can be derived for small operations.
Data are experimental, subject to revision and should be used with caution. These data include full-time, part-time and temporary employees but exclude self-employed workers and the Prairie Provinces.

Source: Statistics Canada
Farmed Salmon Exports 2004
| Atlantic salmon fresh, whole, dressed |
Chinook fresh, whole, dressed |
Coho fresh, whole, dressed |
Atlantic salmon frozen, whole, dressed |
Atlantic salmon fresh fillets |
Total |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Volume (tonnes) |
||||||||||
United States |
42,935 |
4,129 |
159 |
59 |
9,335 |
56,617 |
||||
France |
0 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
18 |
28 |
||||
Japan |
902 |
232 |
0 |
284 |
245 |
1,663 |
||||
Taiwan |
1,619 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,621 |
||||
Other |
484 |
80 |
0 |
133 |
0 |
697 |
||||
Total Volume |
45,940 |
4,449 |
163 |
476 |
9,598 |
60,626 |
||||
Value (CAN$ thousand) |
||||||||||
| United States | 262,197 | 23,572 | 988 | 348 | 94,575 | 381,680 | ||||
| France | 0 | 68 | 28 | 0 | 116 | 212 | ||||
| Japan | 5,107 | 1,349 | 0 | 2,451 | 1,392 | 10,299 | ||||
| Taiwan | 8,819 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8,831 | ||||
| Other | ||||||||||
| Total Value | 2,377 | 346 | 0 | 321 | 0 | 3,044 | ||||
Source: Statistics Canada

Includes Atlantic salmon, Coho and Chinook. For years 1998 - 2000 data originate from the United States Bureau of Commerce. Totals include data for United States only; data for other countries not available. For years 2001 onward data originate from International Trade Division, Statistics Canada.
Farmed Mussel Exports 2004
Volume (tonnes) |
|
United States |
8,081 |
Other |
23 |
Total Volume |
8,104 |
Value (CAN$ thousand) |
|
United States |
20,667 |
Other |
80 |
Total Value |
20,747 |
Source: Statistics Canada

Source: Statistics Canada
Aquaculture Licences [1] 2004
| NL |
NS |
PE |
NB |
QC |
ON |
MB [2] |
SK |
AB |
BC |
YU [3] |
CAN |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commercial / Developmental |
190 |
384 |
213 |
694 |
184 |
290 |
44 |
16 |
84 |
704 |
39 |
2,842 |
Marine Finfish |
89 |
55 |
0 |
97 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
132 |
0 |
373 |
Marine Shellfish |
84 |
327 |
213 |
485 |
41 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
477 |
0 |
1,627 |
Marine Plants |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
6 |
Marine Sea Urchins |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
Marine Lobster Pounds |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
Total Marine |
173 |
384 |
213 |
589 |
47 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
614 |
0 |
2,020 |
Freshwater Finfish |
17 |
0 |
0 |
105 |
137 |
290 |
44 |
16 |
84 |
90 |
39 |
822 |
Total Finfish |
106 |
55 |
0 |
202 |
137 |
290 |
44 |
16 |
84 |
222 |
39 |
1,195 |
Recreational / Private |
0 |
0 |
0 |
106 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/av |
3,6244 |
0 |
0 |
3,730 |
Institutional / Research |
16 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/av |
0 |
0 |
26 |
Total |
206 |
384 |
213 |
810 |
184 |
290 |
44 |
16 |
3,708 |
704 |
39 |
6,598 |
Sources: NSDAF; MAPAQ; OMNR; BCMAFF; DFO - PEI; MWSFB; YDE; SDAFRR; SKDOE; AAFRD; NBDAFA; NLDFA
Total Finfish = Marine Finfish + Freshwater Finfish
Commercial / Developmental = Total Marine + Freshwater Finfish
Total = Commercial / Developmental + Recreational/Private +
Institutional/Research

Sources: NSDAF; MAPAQ; OMNR; BCMAFF; DFO - PEI; MWSFB; YDE; SDAFRR; SKDOE; AAFRD; NBDAFA; NLDFA
Aquaculture Leases [1] 2004
| NL |
NS |
PE |
NB |
QC |
ON |
MB [2] |
SK |
AB |
BC |
YU [3] |
CAN |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marine Finfish |
61 |
55 |
0 |
99 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
129 |
0 |
344 |
Marine Shellfish |
80 |
327 |
1,073 |
484 |
23 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
475 |
0 |
2,462 |
Marine Plants |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
6 |
Marine Sea Urchins |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
Marine Lobster Pounds |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
Total Marine |
144 |
384 |
1,073 |
607 |
29 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
608 |
0 |
2,845 |
Freshwater Finfish |
17 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
48 |
Total |
161 |
384 |
1,073 |
611 |
30 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
625 |
0 |
2,893 |
Sources: NSDAF; MAPAQ; OMNR; BCMAFF; DFO - PEI; MWSFB; YDE; SDAFRR; SKDOE; AAFRD; NBDAFA; NLDFA

Sources: NSDAF; MAPAQ; OMNR; BCMAFF; DFO - PEI; MWSFB; YDE; SDAFRR; SKDOE; AAFRD; NBDAFA; NLDFA
Aquaculture Area [1] (hectares) 2004
| NL |
NS |
PE |
NB |
QC |
ON |
MB [2] |
SK |
AB |
BC |
YU [3] |
CAN |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Finfish | 745 |
280 |
0 |
1,581 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3,591 |
0 |
6,197 |
| Marine Shellfish | 3,822 |
4,945 |
7,543 |
2,790 |
11,835 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,990 |
0 |
33,925 |
| Marine Plants | 1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 [4] |
0 |
9 |
| Marine Sea Urchins | 80 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
359 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/ap |
0 |
442 |
| Marine Lobster Pounds | 0 |
0 |
0 |
61 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/ap |
0 |
61 |
| Total Marine | 4,648 |
5,228 |
7,543 |
4,436 |
12,194 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6,585 |
0 |
40,634 |
| Freshwater Finfish | 58 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
2 |
24 |
0 |
80 |
0 |
115 [5] |
0 |
302 |
| Total | 4,706 |
5,228 |
7,543 |
4,459 |
12,196 |
24 |
0 |
80 |
0 |
6,700 |
0 |
40,936 |
Sources: NSDAF; MAPAQ; OMNR; BCMAFF; DFO - PEI; MWSFB; YDE; SDAFRR; SKDOE; AAFRD; NBDAFA; NLDFA
n/ap - not applicable.

Sources: NSDAF; MAPAQ; OMNR; BCMAFF; DFO - PEI; MWSFB; YDE; SDAFRR; SKDOE; AAFRD; NBDAFA; NLDFA
Number of Commercial Aquaculture Hatcheries 2004
| NL |
NS |
PE |
NB |
QC |
ON |
MB [1] |
SK |
AB |
BC |
YU [2] |
CAN |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Finfish |
5 |
37 |
0 |
21 |
37 |
n/av |
3 |
5 |
15 |
64 |
2 |
189 |
Shellfish |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
14 |
Total |
5 |
42 |
0 |
21 |
38 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
15 |
72 |
2 |
203 |
Sources: NSDAF; MAPAQ; OMNR; BCMAFF; DFO - PEI; MWSFB; YDE; SDAFRR; SKDOE; AAFRD; NBDAFA; NLDFA
n/av - not available.

Sources: NSDAF; MAPAQ; OMNR; BCMAFF; DFO - PEI; MWSFB; YDE; SDAFRR; SKDOE; AAFRD; NBDAFA; NLDFA
NL - Newfoundland & Labrador
NS - Nova Scotia
PE - Prince Edward Island
NB - New Brunswick
QC - Quebec
ON - Ontario
MB - Manitoba
SK - Saskatchewan
AB - Alberta
BC - British Columbia
YU - Yukon Territory
NSDAF - Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
MAPAQ - Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec
OMNR - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
BCMAFF - British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
DFO - PEI - Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Prince Edward Island
MWSFB - Manitoba Water Stewardship, Fisheries Branch
YDE - Yukon Department of Environment
SDAFRR - Saskatchewan Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization
SKDOE - Saskatchewan Department of Environment
AAFRD - Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
NBDAFA - New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture
NLDFA - Newfoundland & Labrador Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
Aquaculture Statistics 2003, Catalogue no. 23-222-XIE, Statistics Canada.
http://www.statcan.ca/cgi-bin/downpub/freepub.cgi