Adopting Innovative Technology to Develop Canada's White Sturgeon Aquaculture Industry

Summary:
Sturgeon products, including caviar, represent highly sought after commodities across the globe. The successful development of Canada’s white sturgeon aquaculture will enable the production of white sturgeon caviar, which will boast one of the highest values of all Canadian agriculture products. Under the highest environmental performance and traceability, Canada has the potential to become a new competitor in the global farmed caviar trade, while helping to alleviate pressure on endangered wild stocks. This project designed modifications to a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) to retrofit two existing outdoor reuse tanks, in order to provide fine control of the rearing environment while conserving water and energy. The new system reduces water use between 98 and 99%, and has resulted in considerable energy savings. Additionally, it allows Target Marine to heat tanks to a temperature appropriate for sturgeon culture, and the increased temperature has resulted in higher feeding rates. The system efficiently removes solids, carbon dioxide, and ammonia from the water. In addition, Target Marine anticipates that the use of this technology could reduce the time of maturation and caviar production. These technical improvements at Target Marine are driving scientific excellence and best practices for sustainable resource use.

Project Lead: Target Marine Hatcheries Ltd.

Total Project Cost: $183,725
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $100,000

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Target Marine Hatcheries Ltd.
• Community Futures, Sunshine Coast
• Vancouver Island University
• Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC
• University of California Davis

For more information please contact the regional coordinator.

Pacific Region: Sean.Irvine@dfo-mpo.gc.ca