‘Namgis Land-Based Recirculating Salmon Aquaculture Pilot Project

Summary:
The ‘Namgis First Nation and their project partners are building B.C.’s first land-based, recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) for Atlantic salmon grow-out, on eastern Vancouver Island near Port McNeill. The ‘Namgis Land-Based Atlantic Salmon Recirculating Aquaculture System Pilot Project (the Project) is a commercial pilot facility aimed at demonstrating the technological and commercial viability of producing Atlantic salmon for table-food in a land-based closed containment recirculating aquaculture system.

Currently there is technological, biological, and economic uncertainty surrounding the viability of producing salmon in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) during the grow-our stage of farming. However, with the lack of social license to expand finfish aquaculture in British Columbia – due to concerns about the impact of open net-pen salmon aquaculture on wild salmon and the marine environment, increasing costs in areas that more strongly impact traditional open net-pen production, and the evolution of RAS technology – there is a general consensus emerging in recent reports that this new technology should be explored as a means to expand the aquaculture industry in B.C. This expansion will be taking advantage of a growing global market for sustainable seafood, while also creating jobs for B.C.’s First Nations and coastal communities.

The Project consists of four phases: Phase 1 - Facility Design; Phase 2 - Facility Construction; Phase 3 - Training and Commissioning; and Phase 4 - Proving the Business Case.

Phase 1 produced the final design of a 200mt facility, selected an appropriate site for the facility, determined the best culture species, initiated the permitting processes, and developed economic and biological models based on the facility design. DFO AIMAP funding of $49,800 was used in Phase 1 to support the major components of designing the facility. Completed by JHL Consulting Inc., the design and subsequent engineering provides the details of the recirculating aquaculture production system incorporating biological and technical performance factors to ensure production levels and business viability. With the completion of Phase 1, the Project is now ready to start construction on Canada’s first land-based, fully land-based salmon farm using RAS. This facility will improve the competitiveness of Canada’s aquaculture industry by advancing the knowledge of RAS and land based aquaculture. 

Project Lead: Mama'omas Enterprises (‘Namgis First Nation)

Total Project Cost: $280,000
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $49,800

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Mama'omas Enterprises (‘Namgis First Nation)
• Tides Canada
• Pacific Salmon Foundation
• SOS Marine Conservation Foundation
• Atli Resources

For more information please contact the regional coordinator.

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