Kelly Cove Salmon, a subsidiary of Cooke Aquaculture, is in the early stages of planning a RAS post-smolt facility.
Cooke Vice president of public relations Joel Richardson said that Kelly Cove Salmon is in the early planning stages to build a CAD 30 million recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) post-smolt facility in the Champlain Industrial Park located in Bayside, New Brunswick, Canada, reports The St Croix Courier.
Richardson told the publication: “We believe it will be the first facility to use this technology in Canada. The purpose of the facility is to grow salmon larger on land, prior to their transfer to salt water farming pens. This type of facility fits with the existing activities of the Bayside port.”
“Science shows that adding stronger, larger fish to the net pens reduces the chances of fish health issues. This new facility will help to reduce fish handling, reduce time at sea and reduce days to market,” he added.
Kelly Cove Salmon has applied to the NB Department of Environment and local government to drill additional wells for water testing and supply in the Chamcook Lake watershed. The facility will not draw water from Chamcook Lake but from deeper groundwater wells located further into the watershed. After testing for water, Kelly Cove Salmon will then register for an Environmental Impact Assessment.
“This new Bayside facility is an important component of our vision for the future to invest locally which could see CAD 198 million spent on upgrade projects and create approximately 258 new, full-time jobs in New Brunswick over five years,” added Richardson.
The proposed RAS facility will employ 15 people full time once completed.
