CAIA publishes first sustainability report for Canada’s salmon farming sector.
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has released its first sector-wide sustainability report for salmon farming, outlining industry progress and future commitments in environmental stewardship and animal welfare.
The report, covering data from 2022, highlights that Canadian salmon farms achieved full compliance with the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Salmonids. It also notes that ocean-based salmon operations recorded an average fish survival rate exceeding 81 percent, and that 70 percent of sea lice treatments administered were non-medicinal.
“Canadians and the world want more Canadian-raised salmon, but they need to know it is of the highest quality and sustainability,” said Tim Kennedy, president and CEO of CAIA. “Each company has its own sustainability systems and reporting, and all salmon farms are independently certified to global or Canadian standards.”
The alliance has committed to adopting best management practices and technologies that support farmed salmon health and welfare. It also aims to pursue partnerships and initiatives focused on wild salmon recovery, habitat restoration, and ocean health.
The report identifies seven core areas of commitment: fish health, climate change, sustainable feed, food security, food traceability, ocean health, and public reporting.
“Our goal is to be nothing less than the most sustainable animal product in the world, show why and how, and continually work towards further improvement,” Kennedy said. “While we have made great progress in ensuring our operations perform at the highest level, there is always more to do.”
CAIA plans to publish the sustainability report annually, with the intention of providing multi-year performance data across its stated actions and targets.