Monday, March 25, 2013

25/03/2013: Candidates Sought for Aquaculture Innovation Award; Focus on research and regulation praised by salmon farmers

The Global Aquaculture Alliance is seeking candidates for a special award recognising innovative practices that overcome production challenges or mitigate negative environmental or social impacts at Best Aquaculture Practices-certified aquaculture farms. The inaugural Global Aquaculture Innovation Award is sponsored by Novus International.

Innovations can span the full range of farm activities, including wetlands conservation, feed management, water-quality management, effluent reduction, energy reduction, staff training, community relations, animal welfare, and health and nutrition.

Three finalists will be invited and paid by Novus to attend a semifinalist summit at the company’s St. Charles, Missouri, USA, headquarters in the summer.
The recipient of the award will receive a plaque, an all-expenses-paid trip (including airfare, registration, hotel and meal expenses) to GAA’s GOAL 2013 conference in Paris, France, and a U.S. $1,000 cash prize.
The recipient will also get the opportunity to present the innovation at GOAL 2013, in GAA’s Global Aquaculture Advocate magazine and online.

The application deadline is May 31 2013.

Federal funds earmarked for more research and better regulation will help BC’s salmon farming community and the continued protection of wild salmon stocks and habitat, said the BC Salmon Farmers Association.
“We’re glad to see the federal government focus on regulatory certainty for our farmers,” said Mary Ellen Walling, executive director. “Improvements here will not only provide more security in our sector, but will ensure that the highest standards are being set for our operations.”
The federal government released its draft 2013 budget, which included a nearly $58-million contribution to regulation, research and monitoring/reporting work for the aquaculture industry. Government also acknowledged the opportunities Canada has to be a world leader in meeting growing demands for seafood.
“It is good to see recognition from the Government of Canada of the importance of our work now and the need to maintain sustainable development into the future,” said Walling.
Since 2010, the BC salmon farming industry has been regulated under the Fisheries Act. As the act was drafted for wild fisheries, there are challenges to applying  it to aquaculture. BC’s salmon farmers have been advocating for more appropriate legislation that will provide certainty to the industry, and assurance to the general public.
“We are proud of the work our farmers are doing and the contributions they make to local communities – that can increase with the kind of attention laid out in this budget,” added Walling.

The BCSFA represents salmon farm companies and those who supply services and supplies to the industry. Salmon-farming provides for 6,000 direct and indirect jobs while contributing $800-million to the provincial economy each year.

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