Salmon industry is booming, could be worth $10 billion by 2020

The wild salmon industry is booming and could be worth $10 billion by 2020, finds a report released today by the University of Prince Edward Island.

The university's Sustainable seafood development program released its "Salmon Aquaculture in Canada" report, which finds that the Canadian salmon aquaculture industry is growing rapidly and now represents a significant portion of the country's seafood industry.

Canadian farmed salmon production has more than doubled over the past decade and is currently worth nearly $1.5 billion, according to the report. The sector now accounts for more than 60 per cent of all domestic salmon production and employs more than 4,000 people coast-wide.

The study recommends that the federal government develop a national salmon aquaculture strategy to capitalize on this growth. It also urges provincial governments to increase their support for the sector to speed its expansion.

"This report confirms that salmon aquaculture is a major contributor to Canada's seafood industry and an important part of our economy," says University of Prince Edward Island professor Graham Daborn, lead author of the report. "As we look to the future, it is imperative that we have a national strategy in place so that this important sector can continue to grow and create even more jobs across the country."

The benefits of a thriving salmon aquaculture industry are far-reaching, notes Daborn. Not only does it generate significant economic activity, but it also provides environmentally friendly protein for consumers while helping to conserve wild salmon stocks.

The future of salmon: Farmed or wild?

Salmon is one of the most popular seafood items in the United States. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, salmon was the country's sixth most-consumed seafood item in 2016.

There are two main types of salmon: farmed and wild. Each has its own set of pros and cons.

Farmed salmon is raised in tanks or pens in a controlled environment. Wild salmon is caught in the wild.

Farmed salmon tends to be cheaper and more readily available than wild salmon. It also tends to have a milder flavor than wild salmon. However, farmed salmon can contain high levels of PCBs, dioxins, and other pollutants, which can be harmful to human health.

Wild salmon is more expensive but it is considered healthier than farmed salmon because it contains less pollutants. It also has a stronger flavor than farmed salmon.

Salmon shortages could hit grocery stores this winter

As the temperatures cool and rain begins to fall in the Pacific Northwest, salmon populations are beginning their traditional migration upstream to spawn. But this year, something is different.

Low water levels have made it difficult for salmon to navigate upriver, and many are getting stranded in popular fishing spots. Worse yet, a recent outbreak of parasites has killed off large numbers of salmon in the lower river.

These two factors have led to a reduced number of salmon in the river, and officials are concerned that there could be a shortage of salmon at grocery stores this winter.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has already closed several sections of the river to fishing in an attempt to protect the remaining salmon, but it's unclear whether that will be enough.

It's too early to tell how severe the shortage will be, but officials are warning consumers to brace themselves for higher prices and possible shortages at grocery stores.

Montreal scientist developing artificial salmon eggs

A team of Montreal-based scientists is in the process of developing artificial salmon eggs, with the hope of alleviating pressure on wild populations of the fish. The scientists are working in collaboration with the Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF), and are currently testing a prototype of the eggs.

The commercial fishing industry has long been concerned about dwindling stocks of wild salmon, with much of the pressure being placed on mature adults. As a result, efforts have been made to find alternative methods for producing juvenile salmon.

Artificial eggs could provide a more sustainable way to farm salmon, as they would not rely on adult fish to produce offspring. The technology has already been proven successful in trout farming, and the scientists believe it can be scaled up for use in salmon farms.

If all goes well, the artificial eggs could be available for use within the next five years. This would represent a major step forward for sustainable salmon farming, and could help to ensure that this important species remains plentiful for generations to come.

Could salmon soon be a renewable resource?

Salmon is a popular, healthy seafood choice. It's also an important economic resource for many coastal communities. But salmon populations have been declining, in part because of dam building and other human activities.

Now scientists are exploring whether salmon could be used as a renewable resource—meaning we could breed them in captivity and then release them into the wild to help rebuild populations. This hasn't been done before on a large scale, but initial results look promising.

If it works, this could be good news for both salmon populations and the coastal communities that rely on them. It would also mean less pressure on wild salmon stocks, which are in danger of becoming depleted.

There's still a lot of work to be done, but the potential for using salmon as a renewable resource is exciting. Stay tuned for updates!