The BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) announced it will invest CAD 1.5 million (USD 1.3 million, EUR 1 million) over the next five years toward wild salmon research. The Association is partnering with academics and independent science-based organizations in a collaborative project set for the first quarter of 2015. BCSFA anticipates its seed funding to generate more than CAD 3 million (USD 2.6 million, EUR 2.1 million) in research projects by 2020.
“As active members of coastal communities, salmon farmers understand the importance of wild salmon to the economy and culture, and there is still much to learn about their life cycle in the ocean, their migration patterns and how they are adapting to our changing climate,” said Jeremy Dunn, executive director, BC Salmon Farmers Association. “We want to ensure that the best researchers are doing quality science and our Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that data is analyzed in an objective and transparent manner.”
The funding announcement follows the completion of a series of priority-setting workshops that included participants from academia, independent research institutes, conservation organizations, government and the aquaculture industry. Researchers will focus on five key research areas, including fish pathogen transmission, salmon migration routes, environmental management, fish health reporting and information sharing.
“The workshops have effectively moved the discussion from broad concepts to designing and implementing specific research projects,” said Dr. Don Noakes, Dean of Science at Vancouver Island University. “This research will improve our understanding of how wild and cultured salmon interact in the environment, with the goal of ensuring that future generations can enjoy the economic, social and cultural benefits that both wild and farm-raised salmon provide.”
The BCSFA is also announcing today that it is forming an external Science Advisory Council. The Council will advise on projects and make recommendations on BCSFA-led research over the next five years.
