Cooke Aquaculture has announced it plans to invest CAD 58.6 million (USD 46 million, EUR 38 million) in a new land-based salmon hatchery in Digby Neck, Nova Scotia.
The company, through its subsidiary Kelly Cove Salmon Ltd., has submitted a proposal for the new hatchery to the provincial government of Nova Scotia, where it is currently undergoing a 30-day public comment period as part of the administrative approval process. The facility, which will utilize a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), is designed for a capacity of three million salmon, Cooke said.
The hatchery, according to Cooke, would allow the company to increase the size of smolt grown on land.
“Increasing the size of our smolt grown on land requires more growing space,” the company said. “Benefits are fewer days in seawater, thereby improving overall farming efficiency. This type of hybrid salmon farming model is recognized globally as a sustainable best marine farming practice to support fish health and to produce top-quality fish.”
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, according to Cooke, has already approved the company’s plans for the hatchery treatment systems and freshwater discharge pipes, reporting that it “poses very low risk.”
The new facility is part of Cooke’s overall investment plan in Nova Scotia, which the company said is halfway complete. The company plans to spend CAD 112 million (USD 87.9 million, EUR 72.8 million) in the region in addition to investments it has already made, including on “capital infrastructure on our marine farms, freshwater hatcheries, major expansions at both our feed manufacturing facility in Truro, our seafood distribution facility in Dartmouth, in research and development projects and community and student initiatives.”
The new facility will allow the company to increase the size of smolts transferred to growout facilities from 125 grams to 500 grams, “so they are larger and stronger before transfer to seawater,” the company said.
Cooke said it expects the permitting and engineering for the facility to take another year, with the construction slated for 2022 “pending pandemic market conditions and permitting approvals.” Once begun, the company said it will take roughly three years for the facility to be fully operational.
Photo courtesy of Cooke Aquaculture Inc.
