It’s the second such conference held at ASF that brings participants together to hear presentations and discuss the technology and operation of this increasingly-popular method of farming fish.
“We will have expertise in all aspects of land-based, closed containment systems from start-up costs and construction, fish health and welfare, organic and sustainability rankings, to marketing and promotion of the final product,” says Jonathan Carr, ASF’s Executive Director of Research and Environment.
“We’ll also be talking with suppliers and marketing experts including representatives from Sobeys and Loblaws.”
Government representatives with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have also been invited to attend the two-day conference, along with industry representatives who have a strong interest in closed-containment aquaculture.
Presenters will include Chief Bill Cranmer, from the Namgis First Nation Closed-Containment Project in British Columbia. Chief Cranmer will be speaking at the conference about his experience with growing Atlantic salmon on land. There will also be further updates on several ongoing closed-containment projects including presentations from Steve Summerfelt, from The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute in West Virginia.
The two previous workshops of this kind at ASF’s headquarters were filled to capacity.
Organisers expect to register as many as 80 participants from across Canada, the United States and Europe for the April conference. Registration is currently available by invite only due to space limitations; however, arrangements are being made to offer some presentations via webinar.
Conference participants will also be provided with the opportunity to sample Atlantic salmon grown in a land-based, closed containment facility.
