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FAQ & Links

FAQ – about the industry

  • What is Aquaculture?
    • Aquaculture is the controlled cultivation of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in controlled environments to produce food, ornamental species, and other commercial products, prioritizing environmental sustainability and efficient resource management.
  • What will the future demand for aquaculture be?
    • The future demand for aquaculture is expected to significantly increase due to the growing global population, declining wild fish stocks, and increased awareness of sustainable food production practices.
  • How has aquaculture development progressed in Canada and where is it going?
    • Aquaculture development in Canada has experienced steady growth, with increasing investments, advancements in technology, and improved regulatory frameworks, indicating a promising future for the industry in terms of expanded production, sustainable practices, and economic contributions.
  • How many fish are farmed in Ontario and where?
    • More than 5,800 tonnes (>100 million meals) of farmed fish are produced each year mainly from 11 open net-pen farms around Manitoulin and Parry Sound in Lake Huron. There are also dozens of land-based farms across Ontario that use flow-through, recirculation, and pond technologies. For up-to-date info, click Aquastats.
  • Is eating farmed fish good for your health? 
    • Eating farmed fish can be beneficial for one’s health as it provides a reliable source of lean protein, essential omega-3 fatty acids, and various nutrients while adhering to quality control measures and regulatory standards. For more info, open this PDF.
  • Are fish feeds not sustainable since they contain fishmeal from wild fish?
    • Several decades ago farmed fish were fed with a lot of fishmeal and fish oil from wild stocks. Nowadays, farmed fish in Canada are fed mainly vegetable protein and oils with very little fishmeal and fish oil to improve the sustainability of aquaculture. For more info, open this PDF.
  • Do net-pen fish farms pollute the Great Lakes?
    • Net-pen fish farmers (as well as land-based) need to test their water and sediment routinely for phosphorus, nitrogen and solids to be under limits set by OMNRF and their fish farm license to prevent harmful algal blooms. Ontario fish farmers have published the phosphorus levels of the net-pen farms that are consistently below the limit of 0.01mg/L. Please see the water quality reports published by the OAHN and UoG.
  • Who do I contact if I want to more info about fish farming?
    • The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is very supportive of growing aquaculture with the Ontario Agrifood Innovative Alliance research grants and funding the OARC. Please contact the OMAFRA Aquaculture and Aquaponics Specialist, Michael McQuire (michael.mcquire@ontario.ca; 519-841-4699), for more info and upcoming aquaculture workshops.
  • Who do I contact if I want to start a (non-Indigenous) fish farm?
    • The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF) issues licenses for fish farms as well as collect eggs and stock fish. The aim of the OMNRF is to protect Ontario’s biodiversity while promoting economic opportunities in the resource sector. For more info, contact OMNRF.
  • Who do I contact if I want to start an Indigenous fish farm?
    • Most of the net-pen fish farms in Ontario are run in partnership with Indigenous communities. Waubetek offers an Aquaculture Development Program across central Canada that acts as a resource and provides guidance for participating Indigenous communities for any stage of development or operation of aquaculture-related projects. For more info, contact Waubetek.

FAQ – ABOUT U OF GUELPH

  • What does the Aquaculture Centre at UoG do?
    • The Aquaculture Centre (AC) provides Ontario aquaculture information to industry participants and frequently to the general public. Technology transfer and information are conveyed through regular workshops, seminars, factsheets, and applied training programs. In addition to information dissemination, the AC assists with government liaison and troubleshoots a wide variety of non-diagnostic problems confronted by farmers.
  • What is the difference between the Aquaculture Centre and OARC?
    • The Aquaculture Centre, located within the Animal Biosciences Department at UoG, serves as a premier knowledge hub for the Ontario aquaculture industry, offering valuable insights into production statistics, ongoing research, and the latest news. On the other hand, the Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre (OARC), based in the Office of Research at UoG, conducts research trials involving various fish species in collaboration with academic, government, Indigenous, and industry partners.
  • What kinds of aquaculture projects are at the UoG
    • Undergrad students can take courses on Aquaculture (ANSC*3050) and Fish Nutrition (ANSC*3170) in the Animal Biology program and they can research aquaculture in graduate MSc and PhD degree programs. For more info, click ‘Study Aquaculture‘.
  • Who do I contact if I want to perform a research trial on farmed fish?

Links

University of Guelph

Ontario

Canada

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