Canada: The price of shutting down salmon farms in British Columbia

A recent study titled 'Assessing the Economic and Environmental Impacts of British Columbia Salmon Farm Closures' has been published, highlighting the significant repercussions of the Canadian government's decision to close salmon farms in British Columbia due to activist pressure. The research, commissioned by the Agri-Food Analytics Lab of Dalhousie University and featured in the MDPI journal, reveals that the closures have led to a surge in salmon prices, anticipated to exceed CAD 30 per kilogram by 2026, and a substantial increase in greenhouse gas emissions from imported salmon.

Since 2020, when 40% of salmon farms were shut down, Canada has noticed a notable rise in salmon imports, mainly from countries like Norway, the UK, Chile, China, Mexico, and Iceland, which has resulted in increased CO2 emissions. The study projects that the annual economic loss in Canada due to these closures will reach CAD 1.2 billion, including a decrease in GDP contributions of CAD 447 million, the elimination of over 4,690 jobs, and a reduction in family incomes of CAD 266 million annually.

This research underscores the profound economic and environmental disruptions caused by the farm closures and emphasizes aquaculture, especially salmon farming, as a crucial strategy for addressing food security challenges. It calls for a reevaluation of the government's approach to aquaculture policy to mitigate these issues and emphasizes the importance of sustainable farming practices in achieving a resilient and secure food future.