Protecting Habitat

Environmental sustainability is one of our primary goals, so protecting habitats through choosing ideal operating sites is essential.  We protect the freshwater and marine habitats where farms operate to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

Choosing the right locations for aquaculture operations

It all begins with choosing the right site location. The majority of new aquaculture developments undergo a comprehensive environmental assessment to ensure they will not unduly impact habitat. Many factors are considered: the size of the site, the surrounding ecosystem and other uses like commercial fisheries, transportation corridors or recreational areas. Federal and provincial managers work with aquaculture operators to choose the sites best suited to the species being cultured.

Aquaculture facilities need to be located in areas which provide the best conditions for animal health and the surrounding habitat. Habitat is protected by:

• Choosing the right locations for sites
• Operating the site in harmony with local conditions

Strong regulation and monitoring protects habitats

Strong legislation is instrumental in protecting ocean and freshwater habitats. Aquaculture operators must meet rigorous federal and provincial environmental standards.

Once an aquaculture facility is up and running, it is regularly monitored for compliance and must strictly adhere to provincial and federal statutes and regulations.

Learn more about aquaculture legislation.

Industry innovation to protect habitat

Aquaculture companies have recognized that protecting the environments in which they operate is critical to bottom-line business success. The aquaculture industry continues to innovate and invest in ways to protect habitat by:

• Installing automated feeding systems and underwater cameras
• Developing “Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture” (farming complimentary species in one area to lessen environmental impacts)
• Carefully managing stock densities, fallowing (periods of inactivity) and treating for parasites
• Conducting ongoing research and innovation into new methods and techniques

Partnering on scientific research

Fisheries and Oceans Canada partners with industry and provincial/territorial governments, funding many industry-led projects through two key programs:

• Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program

The Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP) is a Fisheries and Oceans Canada initiative to increase the level of collaborative research and development activity between the aquaculture industry and the department. ACRDP is an industry-driven program that teams industry with DFO researchers to achieve three broad objectives:

• Best performance in fish production
• Optimal fish health
• Industry environmental performance
• Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program

The overall goal of the Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program (AIMAP) is to catalyze aquaculture industry investment from the private sector that makes the industry competive in the international marketplace, and able to adopt innovative technologies and management techniques that improve environmental performance.

We also have a team of talented scientists working across the country to further our knowledge of aquaculture and ways to mitigate its impact on ecosystems.

• Aquaculture Science

Learn more about how habitat is protected:

• Legislation
• Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program
• Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program
• Aquaculture Science