BC salmon farmers fund research projects

The British Columbia Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) is investing almost CAD$420,000 ($325,000) in seven research projects on wild and farm-raised salmon.

            Over 30 researchers from 10 organizations are involved in the projects that aim to bridge

knowledge gaps on the Canadian province’s wild stocks and coastal environment.

            One of the projects will explore the effectiveness of a local fish species to “clean” sea lice from cultured Atlantic salmon, a first of its kind in BC. Another seeks to understand better the aquatic environment around salmon farms, and how wild marine species interact with the habitats that are created by the presence of a salmon farm.

            “This investment will improve our understanding of BC’s coastal environment, particularly in terms of wild and farm-raised salmon interactions,” said Dr Don Noakes, SAC Chair and Dean of Science at Vancouver Island University.

            “While there is still much to learn about wild salmon migration, life cycles and how they are adapting to our changing climate, funding these important projects is a step towards ensuring the best researchers are doing quality science in an objective and transparent manner,” he said.

For a full list of projects, visit the BCSFA website at http://bcsalmonfarmers.ca/research-innovation/