When most Canadians hear the word farming they picture fields, barns and tractors. But farming does not stop at the shoreline.
Across Canada, farmers are also growing food in our ocean — raising salmon and other fish, cultivating mussels and oysters, and growing kelp and seaweed. That is aquaculture. And if Canada is serious about food security, economic growth and building a more sustainable food system, we need to recognize aquaculture for what it is: farming.
Agriculture grows food on land. Aquaculture grows food in water.
Both rely on skilled people, science, technology, responsible management and innovation. Both feed families, create jobs, and support communities. Both are a competitive advantage for Canada globally.
Our waters can produce salmon, mussels, oysters, shellfish, kelp, seaweed and many other nutritious foods. Alongside them, our wild fisheries provide groundfish and other species that are a critical part of Canada’s food system, economy and identity.
Canada benefits from both farmed and wild seafood in helping feed ourselves and the world.
They provide exceptional nutritional benefits, providing high-quality protein and important nutrients including omega-3 fatty acids while also helping meet a growing global market demand.
Technology is transforming sustainable seafood or “blue food”. Sensors, AI, robotics, environmental monitoring and advanced fish-health technologies are helping improve productivity, optimize feeding, reduce waste, and better understand changing conditions. This is a key area of focus for Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, with more than one-quarter of its project portfolio focused on these and other blue food solutions. It is also an area of particular strength that contributes to food security in our own communities and in growing export potential for Canada.
In building awareness, capacity, and advancing new technologies toward a blue food future, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is an ecosystem partner in this fall’s Food Forward series of events in St. John’s, NL, Mississauga, ON and in Ottawa, ON.
Whenever Canada talks about food security, sustainability, farming or the future of food, the ocean needs to be at the heart of the conversation. It is our ocean that is the key to unlocking the full potential of our three coasts and the workers, businesses, and communities that drive this sector forward, and combine generations of traditional knowledge and the enabling technologies that position Canada as a leader.
Food Forward brings together leaders from agriculture, aquaculture, technology, investment, government and the broader food sector. It is an opportunity to connect conversations that are too often held separately.
Agriculture and aquaculture are increasingly connected parts of the same food value chain, with opportunities to share inputs, by-products and innovations across both sectors. The next step is turning this growing alignment into greater collaboration, innovation and measurable progress for Canada’s food system. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of these conversations and the future of blue food!
By: Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and Mehnaz Tabassum, CEO, NL Eats