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Salmon Closed-Containment Workshop

Wild Salmon Nature Centre Chamcook, New Brunswick, Canada

April 29-30, 2014

WORKSHOP PRORGAM

Salmon Closed-Containment Workshop Program Day 1: Tuesday, April 29 7:30 – 8:15 CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Wild Salmon Nature Centre) Pick up registration package 8:15 – 8:30 Welcome & Introductory Remarks Bill Taylor, Atlantic Salmon Federation Steve Summerfelt, The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (TCFFI) Fish Health and Welfare Research (8:30-12:00) Moderator: Christopher Good 8:30 – 9:00 A review of key findings from the Workshop on Fish Welfare in

Aquaculture (2012, St. Andrews, NB) Tillmann Benfey, University of New Brunswick, NB Canada 9:00 – 10:00 Fish welfare in industry-scale salmon production Grete Baeverfjord, Nofima, Norway 10:00 – 10:30 BREAK 10:30 – 11:00 Animal welfare considerations for fish farms in BC Myron Roth, BC Ministry of Agriculture. BC, Canada 11:00 – 11:30 ‘Namgis First Nation’s “KUTERRA” Project: Managing Atlantic salmon

well-being in a newly operational land-based recirculation grow-out system

Tyler Stitt, Centre for Coastal Health, BC, Canada 11:30 – 12:00 Practical considerations for veterinary care of salmon in closed

containment systems Grace Karreman, Syndel Laboratories Ltd., BC, Canada

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Salmon Closed-Containment Workshop Program Day 1 Cont’d: Tuesday, April 29 12:00 – 1:00 LUNCH (Wild Salmon Nature Centre) Salmon Health and Performance Research (1:00-2:30) Moderator: Christopher Good 1:00 – 1:30 Defining optimal conditions for rearing salmon in RAS

Wendy Vandersteen, University of British Columbia, Canada 1:30 – 2:00 Biosecurity and health management in aquaculture – Opportunities and

challenges presented by closed containment Larry Hammell, Atlantic Veterinary College, PEI, Canada 2:00 – 2:30 Effects of 1st year photoperiod (18 hr vs 24 hr continuous light) and

circulating hormones on sexually maturing Atlantic salmon in freshwater RAS

Christopher Good, TCFFI, WV, USA 2:30 – 3:00 BREAK More Sustainable Inputs and Outputs (3:00-5:00) Moderator: Steve Summerfelt 3:00 – 3:30 Sustainable and alternative feeds for salmonids Wendy Sealey, USFWS, Bozeman Fish Technology Center, MT, USA 3:30 – 4:00 RAS design innovations and opportunities for new technologies:

Linking RAS and Aquaponics for reduced effluent discharge Thomas Losordo and Huy Tran, Pentair Aquatics, USA 4:00 – 5:00 Discussion Panel- Fish Health & Welfare

Dinner and Social (Rossmount Inn, 6:00-9:00) Top Atlantic Canadian Chef, Chris Aerni will be featuring land-based closed-containment Atlantic salmon. Please ensure you register for this event when registering for the workshop. Social begins at 6:00 with cash bar and dinner begins at 7:00. Attire: business casual

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7:30 – 8:00 CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (Wild Salmon Nature Centre) 8:00 – 8:15 Summary of Day 1 Christopher Good and Steve Summerfelt, TCFFI, WV, USA 8:15 – 8:25 Report from the Tides Canada Salmon Aquaculture Innovation Fund:

Overview of the status of the assessment of the technical, biological and economic feasibility of land based closed containment aquaculture

Catherine Emrick, Tides Canada, BC, Canada 8:25 – 8:50 Closed-containment aquaculture in Canada: supporting research and

innovation Cindy Webster, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, NS, Canada Research Update on Atlantic Salmon Production in Land-Based RAS (8:50-12:00)

Moderator: Steve Summerfelt 8:50 – 9:10 Atlantic salmon growout trials in freshwater closed-containment systems

at the Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute Steve Summerfelt, TCFFI, WV, USA 9:10 – 9:30 Evaluation of depuration procedures to mitigate off-flavor from harvest

size Atlantic salmon Salmo salar cultured in a land-based recirculating aquaculture system

John Davidson, TCFFI, WV, USA 9:30 – 9:50 BREAK 9:50 – 10:20 Land based RAS and open pen salmon aquaculture: Comparative

economic and environmental assessment Brian Vinci. TCFFI, WV, USA 10:20 – 10:50 Retrospective assessment of construction costs for the First 470 tonne/yr

Atlantic salmon growout module at the Namgis’ First Nations Gary Robinson, GRV Inc., Tides Canada, BC, Canada 10:50 – 11:20 Strengths and limits of life cycle assessment in understanding the

sustainability of seafood systems Peter Tyedmers, Dalhousie University, NS, Canada

Salmon Closed-Containment Workshop Program Day 2: Wednesday, April 30

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11:20 – 11:35 Global overview of land-based closed-containment systems for producing

food-size salmon Steve Summerfelt, TCFFI, WV, USA

11:35 – 12:00 The Nanaimo Land Based Model Aquafarm- Reaching Steady State of Production Steve Atkinson, Taste of BC, BC, Canada

12:00 – 1:00 LUNCH (Wild Salmon Nature Centre) Closed Containment Project Updates (1:00-2:30) Moderator: Steve Summerfelt 1:00 – 1:30 ‘Namgis First Nation’s KUTERRA land-based closed containment Atlantic

salmon farm Chief Bill Cranmer and Eric Hobson, KUTERRA, BC, Canada

1:30 – 2:00 The SUSTAINABLE BLUE project marine total containment

aquaculture system; Salmon performance report Jeremy Lee, Sustainable Blue, NS, Canada

2:00 – 2:30 Raising Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout and Coho Salmon ad Converting

By-Product into Fertilizer Norman McCowan, Bell Aquaculture, IN, USA

2:30 – -2:50 BREAK

2:50 – 3:20 Marketing Sustainable Seafood Guy Dean, Albion, BC Canada 3:20 – 3:50 Seafood sustainability ranking programs Rob Johnson, Ecology Action Centre, NS Canada 3:50 – 4:20 Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard

Salmon Closed-Containment Workshop Program Day 2 cont’d: Wednesday, April 30

Marketing, Organic, and Sustainability Rankings (2:50-4:20) Moderator: Catherine Emrick

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Justin Henry, Target Marine, BC, Canada

4:20 – 5:30 Discussion Panel- Opportunities and challenges in land-based closed-

containment Systems Closing Remarks

Salmon Closed-Containment Workshop Program Day 2 cont’d: Wednesday, April 30

Discussion Panel (4:20-5:30) Moderator: Brian Vinci

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ABSTRACTS

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A review of key findings from the Workshop on Fish Welfare in Aquaculture (2012 St. Andrews NB)

Tillmann J. Benfey, PhD, Professor and Director of Animal Care Deparment of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada benfey@unb.ca The Workshop on Fish Welfare in Aquaculture (St. Andrews, November 16-17, 2012) began with presentations by 6 invited experts covering the science and management of fish welfare in aquaculture, followed by a facilitated discussion of knowledge gaps related to this theme and the development of research partnerships to address them. The next day focused on education and training with respect to the use of fish for research in laboratory and industry settings, including a panel discussion with the invited experts from the previous day. There was general agreement that there is a lack of quantitative and objective welfare assessment metrics to determine when an endpoint for euthanasia is reached, and that this may be influencing the effectiveness of fish health management practices. Additional conclusions were that current salmon farming practices are not well understood by the general public, and that there is less public scrutiny of welfare practices for wild-caught fishes, whether for sport or commercial harvesting. In this regard, it was noted that here are currently no active partnerships between the aquaculture sector in Canada and recognized animal welfare organizations. Concerns were raised about the limited number of treatments options for fish farmers to manage disease and that breeding programs for disease resistance are just beginning. With respect to land-based closed-containment systems, concerns were expressed about the high biodensities that are proposed and a lack of knowledge of the long-term effect of chronic stress on fish populations. A follow-up meeting (Guelph, June 6, 2013) led to the drafting of a research proposal (as yet unfunded) to assess quantitative performance indicators for optimizing fish production in aquaculture. There was also a recommendation that national or regional aquaculture associations collate current standard operating procedures and produce a white paper that summarizes current industry standards. It was agreed that the need for improved access to therapeutants is already being addressed by the National Fish Health Working Group and that disease resistance is generally one of the traits already incorporated into breeding programs.

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Fish welfare in industry-scale salmon production Grete Baeverfjord*, Jelena Kolarevic, Harald Takle and Bendik Fyhn Terjesen, *Senior Research Scientist, Nofima AS, Sunndalsora, Norway grete.baverfjord@gmail.com The presentation will introduce some of the current issues in Norwegian aquaculture, addressing in particular fish welfare in high-tech large-scale land based facilities. In 2012, a report was presented by an ad hoc-committee under the Food Authoritie’s scientific board, addressing potential fish health and welfare challenges in RAS systems for smolt production. Some of the observations from the report will be highlighted and discussed. Results from several experiments done in the Nofima Center for Recirculation in Aquaculture in Sunndalsora Norway will be presented. In particular two experiment addressing the combined effects of high rearing temperature and high stocking densities, and the effects of high water velocities in fish tanks, will be presented in detail. Additional information will be presented from a series of experiments relating to smolt and post-smolt rearing in RAS systems, and the effects on seawater performance.

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Animal welfare considerations for fish farms in BC

Myron Roth, Ph.D., P.Ag., Industry Specialist, Aquaculture & Seafood Sector Development Branch, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Victoria, BC, Canada Myron.roth@gov.bc.ca

The mandate of the BC Ministry of Agriculture is to promote an innovative, adaptive and globally competitive agrifoods sector that is valued by all British Columbians. In supporting this mandate, the Ministry works to stabilize and expand agrifood production and income, promote environmental stewardship, and safeguard animal, plant and human health. Promoting good animal welfare supports this mandate because it helps safeguard animal and human health, promotes industry competitiveness, and reflects the values of British Columbians.

The animal welfare infrastructure in BC, which extends to cultured aquatic animals, includes both non-voluntary (legislation) and voluntary standards (industry codes codes of practice) as well as other instruments (e.g. educational and extension initiatives). The primary piece of provincial animal welfare legislation in BC is the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCAA). The PCAA provides protection to all animals, with the exception of species at risk, and wildlife that are not in captivity. It requires that no person responsible for an animal shall cause or permit the animal to be, or continue to be, in distress; it also requires veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse or neglect. Examples of supporting legislation includes the provincial Animal Disease Control Act, federal animal health and aquaculture legislation, and international agreements respecting animal health that include animal welfare provisions.

Voluntary codes that speak to welfare farmed fish include codes of practice such as the Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard, Global Aquaculture Alliance Best Aquaculture Practices Certification Standards and the World Wildlife Fund Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue/Aquaculture Stewardship Council Certification Standards. These voluntary standards are not animal welfare specific but address a variety of key issues facing the aquaculture industry, including specific welfare indicators such as stocking density, fish handling, stress, and disease.

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‘Namgis First Nation’s “KUTERRA” Project: Managing Atlantic salmon well-being in a

newly operational land-based recirculation grow-out system Tyler Stitt, Veterinarian Centre for Coastal Health, Nanaimo, BC, Canada Tyler.Stitt@viu.ca  Disease in aquaculture is a sensitive topic in British Columbia, with many different and often conflicting interests and opinions when it comes to pathogens and responsible production. The Kuterra Project was developed to show that it is both technologically and economically feasible to raise Atlantic salmon to harvest size in an environmentally sustainable, land-based closed containment system. In other words, to produce a product that is acceptable to a variety of stakeholders. As the veterinary consultant for this project, my involvement is in helping to prevent the entry of pathogens of concern into this system. Key to this is a smolt screening policy that accommodates diseases of concern to both husbandry and production as well as those that might impact public perception of closed containment systems. However, since pathogen incursion is only one consideration for fish health and welfare in a closed containment system, I will also introduce some of the day-to-day policies and practices that the on-site staff use to maintain fish health and welfare. This is a relatively new system, our first cohort of fish arrived early in 2013 and our first harvest started in March 2014. My talk will introduce and describe some of our strategies for ensuring happy and healthy fish, based on our experience to date.

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Practical considerations for veterinary care of salmon in closed containment systems

Grace Karreman, Syndel Laboratories Ltd., BC, Canada VMD, Adv Dip GIS App VP, Veterinary and Regulatory Affairs Nanaimo, BC, Canada gracek@syndel.com Fish health interventions in flow-through facilities are well understood by fish culturists. However, with the increasing number of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS’s) coming online, a modified approach to treat or handle fish is required. RAS operators have counted on biosecurity and good fish health practices to exclude pathogens out of their systems including disinfection of incoming/recirculating water with UV and/or ozone. However, in spite of best efforts there are increasing reports of pathogen management issues within RAS’s. These may lead to significant outbreaks or, more often, to persistent and chronic disease issues related to “ambient” organisms previously considered minimally pathogenic in flow through systems. Fish health interventions and treatments in RAS’s are limited by the tolerance of the biofilter to those interventions. This talk with explore current challenges and potential solutions to managing treatments within RAS’s.

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Defining optimal conditions for rearing salmon in RAS Wendy Vandersteen*, Josh Emerman, Tara McBryan, Colin J. Brauner, and Jeffrey G. Richards *Research Associate, Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada wevandersteen@gmail.com Land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) provide the opportunity to control environmental conditions to increase production opportunities while minimizing negative impacts on the environment. Although conditions for adequate growth are reasonably well described, conditions for optimal growth are largely unknown. Defining the truly optimal conditions that maximize growth, welfare, quality and cost-efficiencies in RAS is crucial for a sustainable and economically-feasible RAS industry. InSEAS (Initiative for the Study of the Environment and its Aquatic Systems) is an aquatic research facility poised to define these conditions for rearing salmon in RAS. The overall goal of this project is to determine optimal salinity and temperature, and the interaction with photoperiod, for Atlantic salmon, a common aquaculture species in North America, and coho salmon, a BC native fish that is increasingly being considered as a cultured species. We will assess the impact of salinity, temperature, and photoperiod on growth performance, physiological robustness, welfare, and product quality. From this we will be able to precisely quantify the benefit of rearing salmon under more optimal conditions. Differences in growth performance under optimal conditions can be incorporated into economic feasibility models to project the economic impacts of our research. Preliminary growth trials have been completed to assess for variation among replicate RAS in the facility, and the salinity growth trial will begin this spring. InSEAS is positioned to provide the land-based closed containment salmon aquaculture industry with the scientifically grounded information needed to enhance salmon production and increase competiveness of this emerging industry.

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Biosecurity and health management in aquaculture - Opportunities and challenges presented by closed containment

K. Larry Hammell, Professor, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of PEI, Charlottetown, PE, Canada lhammell@upei.ca The greatest challenge in managing infectious diseases in farmed fish populations is limiting introduction of pathogens from other farmed and wild populations, particularly from the same species. While almost complete avoidance of externally sourced infectious agents is possible by growing fish in total containment with recirculated water, any errant introduction to such a closed system will potentially compromise a greater number of individuals due to the increased effective contact between fish. Optimal biosecurity needs to address all possible entry points, with a particular focus on any fomites that might transfer pathogens. Provided that incoming water is free of pathogens and other biosecurity barriers are intact, the primary threat to incursion will be through any new stock introductions. Even transfer between facilities with similar attention to pathogen-free stock will present some risk of introduction. There are other challenges to managing fish health imposed by containment, including the detection and control of non-infectious diseases, such as gill and skin concerns inherent in any water re-use systems. However, there is opportunity to establish compartments that truly act as isolated populations surrounded by positive (or unknown) status pathogen infected fish. This in turn presents opportunity to offset the higher costs associated with recirculating water by reducing the number of new disease outbreaks, thus avoiding the cost of treating those infectious agents or parasites.

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Effects of first-year photoperiod (18 hr vs 24 hr continuous light) and circulating hormones on sexually maturing Atlantic salmon in freshwater RAS

Christopher Good*, John Davidson1, Gregory M. Weber2, Ryan L. Earley3, Elizabeth Lee3, and Steven Summerfelt1 *Director of Aquatic Veterinary Research, The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute. Shepherdstown, WV, USA c.good@freshwaterinstitute.org Co-author affiliations: 1The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute; 2United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service; 3Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama Recent research at The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute has focused on improving our understanding of precocious sexual maturation in male Atlantic salmon grown to market size in freshwater recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS). Two studies are described in this presentation: Study 1 – assessing the effects of either a 18h:6h or 24h first-year photoperiod on early male maturation in growout Atlantic salmon; and Study 2 – determining whether specific steroid hormones (testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, progesterone, estradiol, and cortisol) accumulate in RAS relative to water exchange rate (i.e. high vs. low exchange rates in six replicated RAS), whether hormone accumulation is correlated with differences in early maturation prevalence, and whether passage through RAS unit processes affects hormone concentrations. The results of these studies are summarized as follows. Study 1 – Results thus far indicate that the 18h:6h first-year photoperiod is associated with higher incidence of early male salmon maturation, as determined by plasma 11-ketotestosterone and gonadosomatic indices; therefore, there appears to be no benefit from reducing first year photoperiod from 24h in an effort to reduce early male maturation. Study 2 – Results indicate that among the hormones examined, only testosterone was associated with higher concentrations in low exchange RAS compared to high exchange RAS. Water passage through the unit processes was associated with a significant reduction in concentration of 11-ketotestosterone, in both high and low exchange RAS. Water-borne concentrations of testosterone, 11-ketotestosterone, and estradiol were significantly higher than influent makeup water; the majority of cortisol and progesterone concentrations were not significantly different between RAS and makeup water samples. No significant differences were noted in the prevalence of apparently sexually mature fish or gonadosomatic indices in either sex between treatments, except a significantly higher prevalence of apparently mature female fish in low exchange RAS. Overall, these findings suggest that, under the conditions of this study, the quantified hormones (except for testosterone) do not accumulate in lower exchange RAS, and that, aside from 11-ketotestosterone, the RAS unit processes do not impact hormone concentration. Furthermore, for the most part the observed precocious sexual maturation was unrelated to RAS exchange rate.

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Sustainable and alternative feeds for salmonids Wendy M. Sealey* and Frederic T. Barrows *PhD, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bozeman Fish Technology Center, Bozeman, MT, USA Wendy_sealey@fws.gov

The high cost of feed in salmonid production has been attributed, in part, to the limited availability of wild-caught marine-derived fish meal and fish oil. Identification of alternative ingredients that maintain performance and reduce feed cost could increase long-term sustainability of the salmonid industry. However, a lack of information regarding suitable alternatives and questions about the ability of alternative ingredient diets to support optimal growth, health and product quality has been identified by industry partners as a hurdle to adoption. Although many different sources and types of ingredients can be used in aquafeeds, nutritionists must know several things about each ingredient in order to determine a proper blend of ingredients. Therefore, in order to fully evaluate the nutritional value of an ingredient, a multi-phase approach must be applied to each new ingredient and these phases should include compositional analysis, palatability, digestibility, functionality, and feeding trials which evaluate fish health and waste production. Improved understanding of a wider variety of ingredients obtained in this manner can improve formulation security and help buffer feed price fluxes. By providing nutritionists this information, they can create appropriate ingredient blends that meet nutrient demands when competition for an ingredient occurs and/or a currently utilized ingredient becomes unavailable. Balancing alternative ingredient feeds on available nutrient needs is paramount to improving sustainability by maximizing nutrient utilization and minimizing feed conversion ratios. Ultimately, this also lessens environmental impact through reducing feed waste and total solids in waste streams, as well as nitrogen excretion by the fish.

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RAS design innovations and opportunities for new technologies: Linking RAS and Aquaponics for reduced effluent discharge

Thomas M. Losordo*, Principal Scientist & Chief Engineer Huy Tran*, Aquaponics Development Manager Ed Aneshansley, Engineering Manager Bill Peacock, Senior Designer Rick Jones, Field Services Engineer Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems Raleigh NC, Apopka FL & Beverly MA Dave Haider, Managing Partner Anthony Johannes, Assistant Manager Urban Organics, St. Paul MN Aquatic crop production in tanks, in which the environment is controlled through water treatment and recirculation, has been studied for decades. Although these Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) technologies are costly, claims of impressive yields with year-round production close to major markets and with little water usage or environmental impact have attracted the interest of prospective aquaculturists worldwide. Recent trends have been to reduce water use with the goal of creating “zero discharge” technology. While this is a desirable endpoint, in reality, accomplishing this at the commercial scale has proven to be problematic and has resulted in a number of business failures. Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems (PAES) believes that linking state-of-the-art RAS technology with proven Aquaponics plant production systems will move the industry towards reduced and cleaner production system effluents. This presentation will provide an update on the Urban Organics project in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a multi-floor brewery built in the 1890’s has been redeveloped to produce fish and vegetables for the urban market. We will also introduce an ongoing PAES project in Saudi Arabia where this approach is being taken in a research and demonstration environment for marine aquaculture production systems

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Report from the Tides Canada Salmon Aquaculture Innovation Fund: Overview of the status of the assessment of the technical, biological and economic feasibility of land based

closed containment aquaculture Catherine Emrick, Senior Associate, Aquaculture Innovation, Tides Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada catherine.emrick@tidescanada.org The Tides Canada Salmon Aquaculture Innovation Fund was established in 2010 to advance aquaculture solutions to better protect wild salmon and the marine environment. This is accomplished primarily through support for a transparent assessment of the technical, biological and economic feasibility of land based, closed containment aquaculture for food fish production, The Innovation Fund provides funding to the ‘Namgis First Nation’s “KUTERRA” Land Based Atlantic Salmon Recirculating Aquaculture System Project , the Taste of BC Aquafarm, and related applied research projects. Through a partnership with the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute, the Innovation Fund also provides technical and fish husbandry, project management and mentoring support to projects in B.C. that promote improvements in the biosecurity and environmental performance of the finfish aquaculture industry. To support the dissemination of information about the work supported by the Innovation Fund, Tides Canada is a convener of the Aquaculture Innovation Workshop series, designed to bring together a broad range of stakeholders to share information and discuss issues relevant to closed containment aquaculture. This session will provide an update on what has been learned to date from the Innovation Fund’s work to assess the feasibility of the land based aquaculture, the challenges and opportunities that have been identified, and what is needed to support moving this new industry to a commercial scale.

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Closed-containment aquaculture in Canada: Supporting research and innovation Cindy Webster, Director, Aquaculture Management, Maritimes Region Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, NS, Canada Cindy.Webster@dfo-mpo.gc.ca Closed containment aquaculture has gained support as an option to traditional net-pen Atlantic salmon aquaculture. This emerging technology is viewed by some proponents as a solution to the perceived adverse impacts of net-pen aquaculture on wild fisheries and ecosystems. Feasibility studies have demonstrated that recirculating aquaculture systems show the most potential and there are currently pilot scale projects in Canada and internationally to validate these findings. While the potential is recognized for closed containment technology in aquaculture, challenges remain to achieve commercial viability, including high start-up costs, scalability, and reproducibility, along with some technological and biological issues. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) continues to support efforts to explore opportunities for closed containment aquaculture, while remaining technology neutral in its regulatory and policy approaches. This presentation will highlight some of the efforts the Department has undertaken in exploring this technology, opportunities and challenges, set against recent program renewal and Departmental transformation.

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Atlantic salmon growout trials in freshwater closed-containment systems at The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute

Summerfelt, S.T.*, Waldrop, T., Davidson, J., Good, C. * Director of Aquaculture Systems Research The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute, Shepherdstown, WV, USA s.summerfelt@freshwaterinstitute.org The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute (Shepherdstown, West Virginia, USA) has conducted five Atlantic salmon growout trials in land-based, freshwater, closed-containment systems. In the first trial, funded by the USDA ARS, a 2 x 2 factorial study examined the effects of strain (an all-female Gaspe strain versus a mixed-sex Saint John River strain) and photoperiod manipulation (to produce smoltification) on Atlantic salmon growth, processing attributes, and sexual maturity to 26 months post-hatch in a freshwater reuse system with three replicated 10 m3 culture tanks operated at 13˚C. Both strains of salmon reached harvest size of 4 kg approximately 2 months sooner when they underwent a six week photoperiod (12 hr light: 12 hr dark) to produce S0 smolts compared to fish that only received continuous 24 hr light. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grow-out studies have been used to provide key data on growth rates, survival, fish densities, feed conversion, water quality, primary variable costs, waste loads, fish health (including presence/absence of bacterial or viral fish pathogens and important parasites such as sea lice and kudoa), pesticide/antibiotic use (none), fillet attributes (yield, color, lipid content, and flavor) and other important parameters for Atlantic salmon production to food-size within a pilot-scale (4,700 L/min water recirculation through a 150 m3 culture tank) freshwater closed containment system. In the 2nd growout trial, funded by the Atlantic Salmon Federation (St Andrews, NB), mixed-sex St John River strain salmon from Cooke Aquaculture USA (Bingham, ME) were cultured to a maximum density of approximately 40 kg/m3; approximately 7 tonnes of fish were produced from post-smolt (~340 g) that were reared to harvest size (4-4.6 kg) within approximately 12 months, concluding in April of 2012. In the 3rd growout trial, funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Palo Alto, CA), a mixed-sex Cascade strain Atlantic salmon (American Gold Seafood, Rochester, WA) were cultured to a maximum density of approximately 100 kg/m3; weekly harvest of premium salmon began the first week of December 2012, when the mean size of the harvested top-grade of fish reached 4.3 kg. These fish were only 22.5 months post-hatch. Harvests events continued weekly into April 2013, until all fish had been removed from the system. We harvested 16 metric tonnes of premium salmon with a total harvest, including the harvest of early maturing males of over 21 tonnes from the 150 m3 culture tank with this single cohort. Overall mortality, culls, and jumpers accounted for about 7% of the fish during the production phase of the 3rd growout trial. In the 4th growout trial, funded by the ASF and GBMF, Cascade strain salmon were cultured to test two 1st-year photoperiod regimes and at a maximum biomass density of 120 kg/m3. We exposed juvenile Atlantic salmon to two photoperiod regimes (either 24h continuous lighting, or 18h light: 6h dark) to determine if either treatment regime was associated with higher levels of early male sexual maturation. This is critical research because previous experience at The Freshwater Institute (identified as Growout

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Trials #1, #2 and #3) indicate that 75-80% of the male St. John River strain and Cascade strain Atlantic salmon begin to sexually mature, many by 2-3 kg, when cultured within freshwater land-based closed-containment systems with 24-hr continuous lighting. For more information, see Christopher Good’s abstract and presentation at this same workshop. The 4th growout trial recently concluded in April of 2014 after producing over 20 tonnes of Atlantic salmon, most averaging 4-5 kg. In the 5th growout trial, supported by SalmoBreed (Bergen, Norway) and GBMF, we are testing a salmon selected for rapid growth and late maturation when exposed to two feed levels (standard and 1/2-ration) for 3 months as post-smolt, then when cultured during the second year at a maximum density of 120 kg/m3 biomass density. We hope to raise these salmon to a harvest size of 6 kg in April of 2015. No vaccines, formalin, antibiotics, or pesticides were used during any of the trials. Hydrogen peroxide bath treatments were used to ameliorate Saprolegnia spp. infections, most commonly encountered during egg incubation and fry culture. Sodium chloride was used in 2-3 ppt bath treatments after handling to minimize fungus throughout each trial. No major fish health events were noted. Sixty fish from each cohort were tested for the listed salmon pathogens (ISAV, IPNV, VHSV, OMV, SVCV, A. salmonicida, R. salmoninarum, Y. ruckeri, M. cerebralis, C. Shasta, K. thyrsites) and none have been detected in any of the salmon growout trials to date. Atlantic salmon produced during the last two trials have been sold to Albion Seafood (Vancouver, BC); fish were used for product quality and marketing assessments in the Vancouver region and the U.S. mid-Atlantic in collaboration with JJ McDonnell and Co. (Jessup, MD).

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Evaluation of depuration procedures to mitigate off-flavor from harvest size Atlantic salmon Salmo salar cultured in a land-based recirculating aquaculture system

John Davidson*, Kevin Schrader, Bruce Swift, Eric Ruan, Jennifer Aalhus, Manual Juarez, Chris Good, William Wolters, Gary Burr, and Steven Summerfelt *Senior Research Associate, The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute, Shepherdstown, WV, USA j.davidson@freshwaterinstitute.org Fish cultured within recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) can develop “earthy” or “musty” off-flavors due to bioaccumulation of the compounds geosmin and 2-methylisoborenol (MIB), which are produced by bacteria present in system biofilms. As a general practice, salmonids cultured in RAS are transferred to separate depuration systems with odor-free water to purge these unpalatable flavors. Technologies and standard operating practices that optimize purging kinetics for Atlantic salmon and other RAS-produced fish are needed to improve the reliability and consistency of depuration. Three separate 2 x 2 factorial studies were conducted to evaluate various procedures and technologies to mitigate off-flavor from RAS-produced salmon. Twelve identical partial reuse systems were used for three depuration trials evaluating: 1) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) disinfection of depuration systems and granular activated carbon filtration of the makeup flow; 2) the same treatments but with larger salmon; and 3) H2O2 disinfection of the depuration system and presence/absence of water aeration media. Key findings were as follows: 1) Off-flavor concentrations within salmon purged in dirty, biofilm-coated depuration systems increased; therefore, systems must be clean and biofilm-free prior to depuration. 2) Hydrogen peroxide disinfection (250 mg/L) of depuration systems following cleaning optimized off-flavor reduction. 3) High-surface-area water aeration media shielded biofilms from complete disinfection, resulting in less than optimal off-flavor removal from Atlantic salmon; while depuration systems void of media resulted in greater off-flavor reduction. Thus, water aeration media should not be used in depuration systems, and unit processes and locations that are difficult-to-clean should be excluded. 4) A wide range of off-flavor concentrations were measured within individual salmon, indicating that one salmon is not a representative sample size to determine market suitability. Environmental factors impacting depuration, real-world challenges, and needs for additional research will also be discussed.

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Comparative economic and environmental analysis of land-based versus net pen salmon production

Brian J. Vinci*, Trond W. Rosten, Kristian Henriksen, Erik Skontorp Hognes, Steven T. Summerfelt *Director of Engineering Services The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute, Shepherdstown, WV, USA b.vinci@freshwaterinstitute.org Atlantic salmon growout trials conducted at the Freshwater Institute (WV) are providing key operational data for planning and comparison of water recirculation aquaculture systems to other aquaculture systems. This includes growth rates, survival, fish densities, feed conversion, water quality, primary variable costs, waste loads, fish health (including presence/absence of disease and parasites), pesticide/antibiotic use, fillet attributes (yield, color, lipid content, and flavor) and other important parameters for Atlantic salmon production to food-size within a pilot-scale (4,700 L/min water recirculation through a 150 m3 culture tank) freshwater closed containment system. Data from these trials have been used in an analysis of the economics and environmental impact of land-based versus net pen production of Atlantic salmon. Recent analysis indicates that the cost of production, for the modeled scale of 3,300 metric tonnes annual production, is approximately equal for land-based production and net pen production at $4 per kg of head-on gutted product. A 10-year net present value analysis also showed that the rates of return were approximately equal (15%) under likely scenarios. Analysis of the environmental impact of the two production methods using life cycle assessment indicated that land-based salmon production would have a larger carbon footprint than net pen production if sited where the electricity is provided by a typical US mix of fossil fuels. However, when land based production is sited where electricity is provided by hydropower, the carbon footprint of the two production methods are approximately equal. Additional analysis of the two production methods indicated that net pen salmon production in Scandinavia followed by export to the US has a larger carbon footprint than land-based salmon production in the US using the typical US mix of fossil fuels.

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Retrospective assessment of construction costs for the First 470 tonne/yr Atlantic salmon growout module at the ‘Namgis First Nations

Gary Robinson President, GRV. Inc. Campbell River, BC, Canada Tides Canada, Vancouver, BC, Canada gary.robinson@uniserve.com A summary of development costs and associated metrics for the ‘Namgis RAS salmon project are presented. These are compared and contrasted with the Taste of BC, 100mt/yr RAS trout project to illustrate some of the key variables and cost reduction opportunities in developing RAS salmon projects.

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Strengths and limits of life cycle assessment in understanding the sustainability of seafood systems

Peter Tyedmers, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the School for Resource and Environmental Studies Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada Peter.Tyedmers@Dal.Ca Human food systems are substantial drivers of environmental change at local-, regional- and global-scales. Consequently, addressing pressing environmental challenges that threaten species, ecosystems and human life support systems often requires close attention to how we choose to produce our food. With projected population increase and rising per capita consumption demands, impacts and challenges of food provision are set to increase substantially by 2050. As a result, improving the sustainability of food systems is essential if we are to continue to operate within planetary boundaries. Achieving this not only requires critical examination of impacts of current food systems but recognition of potential tradeoffs implicit when changes in food choices or production technologies, scale or setting are considered.

Within aquaculture, considerable attention has focused on local and regional-scale environmental impacts of net pen salmonid culture that typically result from the free exchange of water, wastes and organisms with the surrounding environment. In the face of these concerns, a variety of alternative culture systems are currently being developed or have been deployed that attempt to limit, to one extent or another, these exchanges though often at the expense of increased material and energy throughput. Understanding the potential resulting resource dependency and environmental tradeoffs, if any, associated with the adoption of alternative culture technologies is essential if the sustainability of salmonid culture is to be improved broadly. The challenge, however, is the lack of a comprehensive analytical framework to assess all resource and environmental impacts simultaneously in a robust, consistent manner.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) has emerged as a useful, though imperfect, tool to better understand the major resource and environmental implications of production systems. Over the last ten years it has been widely used to assess the sustainability implications of food systems including a wide-range of aquaculture technologies and settings. It is a methodologically standardized biophysical accounting tool that is particularly useful for quantifying broad-scale impacts associated with material and energy inputs to production systems regardless of where, within the network of interlinked industrial activities sustaining a production system, those inputs occur. However, LCA is not currently a robust technique for evaluating local biological and ecological impacts of production systems. It is also critical to understand that while LCA can help elucidate resource dependencies and environmental implications, it provides no guidance as to the relative importance to be placed on tradeoffs revealed. Despite limitations, LCA provides a useful platform for informing decision-making regarding the sustainability implications of current and alternative food systems including those used to culture salmon.

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Global overview of land-based closed-containment systems for producing food-size salmon Steven Summerfelt, Director of Aquaculture Systems Research The Conservation Fund Freshwater Institute, Shepherdstown, WV, USA s.summerfelt@freshwaterinstitute.org More than a half-dozen commercial facilities using land-based closed-containment systems are now operating with Atlantic salmon growing towards food size; the largest of these farms are located in Canada, France, Denmark, and China. Nearly all of these facilities are already or expect to be harvesting food-size fish in 2014. Facilities such as the 'Namgis First Nation’s salmon farm (Canada), Langsand Laks, and Danish Salmon (Denmark) have been highlighted in the trade press. When all of these facilities have reached their full production levels, the total production potential will approach 5,000 tonnes annually. In addition, another dozen facilities are now being built or planned around the world, including adding production in the USA and Scotland. These additional projects would potentially produce more than 10,000 tonnes of food-size salmon and are bringing new players into the salmon industry. It is obvious that confidence in these technologies has risen. Private investment in land-based closed-containment fish farms is growing, and projects with fixed capital investments of $1.5 to $30 million are the general trend. The technical and biological viability of these operations has been demonstrated, while their economic success, considered viable through theoretical modeling, is now being assessed in practice.

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The Nanaimo Land Based Model Aquafarm- Reaching Steady State of Production

Steve Atkinson, President- Taste of BC Aquafarms Inc. Chair-Freshwater Aquaculture Association of BC Nanaimo, BC, Canada steve@freshbcsalmon.com

The Taste of BC Aquafarms Inc. Model Aquafarm was spawned as a result of the Interprovincial Partnership for Freshwater Aquaculture Development’s Fourth Industry Action Plan; with the goal to provide an example and blueprint for freshwater aquaculture development in BC and in Canada. Construction began in June of 2012 and the farm is now reaching steady state of production. This farm will produce 100Mt of Steelhead Salmon annually.

Results of data gathered from construction and leading up to the first harvest will be shared. This farm has been completed and operating for one year, largely within budget and performing according to expectations. We will discuss why this farm is different from previous attempts at land based salmon culture.

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‘Namgis First Nation’s KUTERRA land-based closed containment Atlantic salmon farm

Chief Bill Cranmer Elected Chief - ‘Namgis First Nation, Alert Bay, BC, Canada Board Member – Kuterra Limited Partnership, Port McNeill, BC, Canada billc@namgis.bc.ca Eric Hobson President – The SOS Marine Conservation Foundation, Port McNeill, BC, Canada Vice-Chair – Kuterra Limited Partnership, Port McNeill, BC, Canada eric@saveoursalmon.ca

The ‘Namgis First Nation’s Kuterra Project is the first land-based, closed containment (Recirculation Aquaculture System) Atlantic salmon farm in Canada and one of the first in the world to raise Atlantic salmon to commercial scale.

The first premium fish are being harvested on April 15th, 2014. Albion Fisheries is the distributor and the first year’s production of Kuterra land raised salmon have already been sold.

The facility is located 5 km south of Port McNeill on Vancouver Island British Columbia and is 100% owned by the ‘Namgis First Nation. Unified in the environmental objectives of the Project, the SOS Marine Conservation Foundation is a project partner and Tides Canada is a funding partner providing independent environmental monitoring and the expertise of the Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute.

This is the first module of a five-module farm. Three cohorts of salmon are being grown out per year from100 g smolts to 5 to 6 kg market-size salmon. The peak density will be 90 kg/m3 which will produce a total of 470 MT of salmon annually. Harvest will occur every week.

Through the process of designing, building, and operating Module One, refinements for the subsequent four modules have been identified. These improvements will provide greater production efficiency, lower capital costs, and lower operational costs for the full-scale commercial facility (approximately 2,000 – 2,500 MT/year).

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The SUSTAINABLE BLUE Project marine total containment aquaculture system; Salmon performance report

Jeremy Lee, President, Sustainable Blue, Centre Burlington, NS, Canada Jeremy.Lee@sffc.ca Sustainable Blue began an Atlantic salmon growth trial on 1st June 2013. The trial produced very encouraging results prior to its untimely termination on 15th March 2014 due to an incident related to the facilities power and control systems. While the reason for this incident is known, a PLC backup UPS lost power, the cause has yet to be established. The fish were divided into 3 groups at the start of the trial; one group, Group A, were restricted by tank size, one group, Group B, were placed on a restricted ration for 4 months and a third, Group C, were unrestricted in either space or diet. In the 9.5 months of the trial Group C reached 2.47 kg and were on target for a 4kg average at or around 12 months. All group FCRs were less than 1.1 and mortality of the growers (disregarding initial parr losses) was 1.5%. Grilse rates were 8.2% average with no apparent difference between the groups.

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Raising Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout and Coho Salmon ad Converting By-Product into Fertilizer

Norman McCowan, President & CEO Bell Aquaculture, Redkey, IN, USA Norman.McCowan@bellaquaculture.com Through our endeavors at Bell Aquaculture we have acquired knowledge allowing us to advance sustainable land-based containment aquaculture in Yellow Perch, Rainbow Trout and Coho Salmon as well as develop systems for the reuse of by-products created through the raising and processing of fish.

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Marketing Sustainable Seafood

Guy Dean, Vice President- Import/Export Albion Fisheries Ltd, Richmond, BC, Canada guy.dean@albion.ca There is a lot of buzz around “Sustainable Seafood” lately. Is this a FAD? Can it garner a Premium? Does the business model to focus on sustainability make sense? And what does sustainability actually mean? In this presentation, we discuss the sustainability movement; the opportunities; how this commitment can become a profitable business; and how we relate this opportunity to marketing Land Raised farmed Salmon. “Marketing Sustainable Seafood” will also provide general insight into how the industry has changed and where the future will lead us. For over 27 years, Guy Dean has been involved in the seafood industry from harvester, processor to distributor. His presentation provides an overview of his hands on experience on how commitment to sustainability is not only an ethical decision but makes sense as a successful business model.

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Seafood sustainability ranking programs Rob Johnson, Sustainable Seafood Coordinator, Ecology Action Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada atlantic@seachoice.org Assessment rankings and certification schemes for seafood have been rapidly growing and spreading their reach over the past few years. What is currently out there and what is the relevance for closed containment producers? How do these systems relate to market value and differentiation in the marketplace? What is the market demand, who's driving it, and where are things going? In this presentation, we will discuss the scope of various certification and ranking systems; explain the difference between the two; discuss the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, benchmarking of eco-certification standards, and the relationships with SeaChoice, Ocean Wise and others. Rob Johnson is the SeaChoice Representative from Ecology Action Centre in Halifax, and has been involved over the past five years in the developing world of seafood assessments and certification schemes and the changing landscape in the marketplace in North America and beyond.

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Canadian organic aquaculture standard Justin Henry, General Manager, Target Marine Hatcheries Ltd. Sechelt, BC, Canada, V0N 3A5 Jhenry@targetmarine.com After more than a decade in the making, the Canadian organic aquaculture standard was released in 2012 and is now being implemented by organic farmers across the country. Owned by the Canadian General Standards Board, the organic aquaculture standard (CAN/CGB-32.312-2012) was developed by a national multidisciplinary committee to meet the needs of organic farmers and consumers. The scope of the standard includes finfish, shellfish, seaweeds and aquatic plants and was built for future equivalency with standards from the EU and USA. The highlights of the requirements of the standard will be reviewed as well as the potential to implement the organic standard culturing salmon in a recirculating aquaculture system.

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Last Name First Name Organization Email Address

Andrews Tony Atlantic Salmon Trust director@atlanticsalmontrust.org Angus Randall Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI rangus@mcpei.ca Atkinson Steve Taste of BC Aquafarms Inc. steve@freshbcsalmon.com Backman Steve Skretting steven.backman@skretting.com Baeverfjord Grete Nofima grete.baverfjord@nofima.no Bagnall John AMEC / NB Salmon Council john.bagnall@amec.com Batt John Aquatron Laboratory John.Batt@dal.ca Benfey Tillmann University of New Brunswick benfey@unb.ca Bishop Angela Aquaculture Association of Nova

Scotia abishop@seafarmers.ca

Bourque Christy Mitchell McConnell Insurance christineb@mitchellmcconnell.com Bridger Chris Huntsman Marine Science Centre cbridger@huntsmanmarine.ca Burke Melissa Government of Newfoundland and

Labrador, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

melissaburke@gov.nl.ca

Carpenter Ross Heritage Estates Ltd. rosscarpenter@heritagedevelopments.ca Carpenter Dick Heritage Estates Ltd. rosscarpenter@heritagedevelopments.ca Carpenter Jamie Arctic Rose Inc. jcarpenter@nb.aibn.com Carr Jonathan Atlantic Salmon Federation jcarr@asf.ca Cayer Adelard Ocean Produce International Ltd. aacayer@gmail.com Chafe Graham Atlantic Salmon Federation gchafe@asf.ca Charest Michelle Atlantic Salmon Federation mcharest@asf.ca Craig Aaron Northern Harvest Seafarms acraig@northernharvest.com Davidson John The Conservation Fund Freshwater

Institute j.davidson@freshwaterinstitute.org

Dean Guy Albion Fisheries Ltd guy.dean@albion.ca Dickie Mitchell KELLY COVE SALMON LTD mitchell.dickie@cookeaqua.com Donnarummo Francis Palom Aquaculture fpdonn@gmail.com Drost Terry Four Links Marketing Ltd. terrydrost@4links.ca Dupuis Todd Atlantic Salmon Federation tdupuis@upei.ca Emrick Catherine Tides Canada catherine.emrick@tidescanada.org Epworth Wendy Fort Folly Habitat Recovery wendy.epworth@rogers.com Garber Amber Huntsman Marine Science Centre agarber@huntsmanmarine.ca Giffin Geoff Atlantic Salmon Federation ggiffin@asf.ca Glebe Brian Fisheries and Oceans Canada bglebe@nb.sympatico.ca Good Christopher The Conservation Fund's

Freshwater Institute c.good@freshwaterinstitute.org

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Hammell Larry Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI lhammell@upei.ca Last Name First Name Organization Email Address

Hill Barry NB Department of Fisheries Agriculture and Aquaculture

barry.hill@gnb.ca

Hinks Ross Miawpukek First Nation rhinks@mfngov.ca Hinks Lewis Atlantic Salmon Federation lhinks@auracom.com Hobson Eric The SOS Marine Conservation

Foundation / 'Namgis Project eric@saveoursalmon.ca

Isaac Denny Gespe'gewaq Mi'gmaq Resource Council

disaac@migmaqresource.org

Johnson Rob Ecology Action Centre atlantic@seachoice.org Johnson Holly Atlantic Salmon Federation hjohnson@asf.ca Karreman Grace Aquatic Life Sciences gracek@wchemical.com Lawley Jim Atlantic Salmon Federation jimlawley@scotiafuels.com Lee Jeremy Sustainable Blue jeremylee@sffc.ca McCowan Norman Bell Aquaculture norman@bellaquaculture.com McElwee Joe Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems joe.mcelwee@pentair.com Merlin Paul Canaqua Seafoods Limited meraqua@msn.com Merrill Joe Self jmnecap@aol.com Milton Roddie Maritime Aboriginal Peoples

Council rmilton@mapcorg.ca

Moffatt Tom Atlantic Salmon Federation asfweb@nbnet.nb.ca Nikoloyuk Jordan Atlantic Policy Congress of First

Nations Chiefs jordan.nikoloyuk@apcfnc.ca

Nowlan Rachel Ulnooweg Development Group rnowlan@ulnooweg.ca Robinson Tim Fort Folly Habitat Recovery timrffhr@nb.aibn.com Robinson Gary GRV Inc., Tides Canada gary.robinson@uniserve.com Rojas Alejandro AquaBounty Technologies arojas@armpro.cl Rommens Melissa Sustain Aqua melissa@sustainaqua.ca Rommens Melissa Sustain Aqua melissa@sustainaqua.ca Roth Myron BC Ministry of Agriculture myron.roth@gov.bc.ca Salazar Fernando Ulnooweg Development Group fsalazar@ulnooweg.ca Sanchez Onassis Silk Stevens Limited onassis@silkstevens.ca Sorensen Marc Coseco Consulting Limited coseco1@rogers.com Stevens Dave Silk Stevens Ltd dave@silkstevens.ca Stitt Tyler Winchelsea Veterinary Services tyler.stitt@viu.ca Summerfelt Steven The Conservation Fund Freshwater

Institute s.summerfelt@freshwaterinstitute.org

Swan Vicki Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia

vswan@seafarmers.ca

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Taylor Bill Atlantic Salmon Federation btaylor@asf.ca Last Name First Name Organization Email Address

Tinker Steve Atlantic Salmon Federation stevetinker@asf.ca Tudor Scott Sobeys scott.tudor@sobeys.com Tyedmers Peter School for Resource and

Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University

peter.tyedmers@dal.ca

Vandersteen Wendy University of British Columbia wevandersteen@gmail.com Vinci Brian The Conservation Fund Freshwater

Institute b.vinci@freshwaterinstitute.org

Wallace Shawna Atlantic Salmon Federation swallace@asf.ca Ward Devin NSMDC-AAROM dv562234@gmail.com Webster Cindy Fisheries and Oceans Canada cindy.webster@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca Whitehead Jessica Nova Scotia Department of

Fisheries and Aquaculture whitehja@gov.ns.ca

Wilton Sean AgriMarine vivian@agrimarine.com Woods Bryan Palom Aquaculture bryanwoods@earthlink.net