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Sustainable Management of Wild Populations Reduce Reliance on Forage Fish
Salmon are fed nutrient-dense, dry pellets – currently, the main ingredients are fish meal and fish oil. The fish meal and oil are primarily made from forage fish that are too small and bony to be used for human consumption. These forage fish are still plentiful in the ocean – and the salmon farming industry wants to make sure that they stay that way. Therefore, feed manufacturers are developing new feeds that will replace some of the fish-based ingredients in salmon feed with ingredients from other sources such as vegetables – yet still provide high quality, nutritious farmed salmon. The use of non-fish ingredients in salmon feed is only one of many ways that New Brunswick salmon farmers support the preservation and sustainable management of wild fish populations.
Partnerships with Salmon Recovery Projects
Salmon farmers actively support projects seeking to restore the diminishing wild salmon populations in New Brunswick rivers. For example, progeny from the Magaguadavic River wild salmon population have been reared in salmon farming hatcheries and cage sites in the Bay of Fundy. As well, the New Brunswick Salmon Growers Association acts as a liaison between the Magaguadavic River Recovery Group and the salmon farming industry. Many of its members, including feed companies and suppliers, have provided financial resources, materials and expertise to this and other wild salmon conservation projects.
Lobster Ecology and Fishery
Salmon aquaculture and the commercial lobster fishery are the mainstays of the economy in southwest New Brunswick - and both are mutually dependent on sustaining environmental quality and access to marine resources.
In recognition of this important relationship, the salmon farming industry actively participates in monitoring and research programs. Studies of critical elements of juvenile lobster habitat, lobster migration, fishing pressure
and potential effects of farm operations are all financially and technically supported by salmon farmers.
Marine Mammals
Seals occasionally attempt to tear through the cage netting to prey on farmed salmon - and can kill hundreds of fish in a single night. To protect their fish from these powerful animals, salmon farmers utilize a range of non-harmful predator-deterrence techniques and equipment such as double-walled heavy gauge nets.
Birds
Some birds can also pose challenges for salmon farmers. Not only do they attempt to consume smolts (juvenile salmon), but their feces can be a source of disease pathogens. Such birds are prevented from eating smolts simply by putting netting over the top of cages.
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