About the Aquaculture 101 Course

Aquaculture 101 is designed for learners of all types to learn about aquaculture as a sustainable practice and a job creating industry. Course topics include:

1. The History of Aquaculture.

2. The Science of Aquaculture.

3. Aquaculture Technology.

4. Sustainable Aquaculture.

5. Careers in Aquaculture.

What is Aquaculture?

Aquaculture 101 is designed for learners of all types to learn about aquaculture as a sustainable practice and a job creating industry. Course topics include:

1. The History of Aquaculture.

2. The Science of Aquaculture.

3. Aquaculture Technology.

4. Sustainable Aquaculture.

5. Careers in Aquaculture.

What is Aquaculture?

Aquaculture 101 is designed for learners of all types to learn about aquaculture as a sustainable practice and a job creating industry. Course topics include:

1. The History of Aquaculture.

2. The Science of Aquaculture.

3. Aquaculture Technology.

4. Sustainable Aquaculture.

5. Careers in Aquaculture.

Immerse Yourself in Aquaculture

Virtual Reality Experiences

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Career Profiles

Aquaculture Technician is a very popular choice for people entering the aquaculture industry, with good opportunities for career advancement. The total number of positions needed in this field is high. This is a very generalized career path and can include jobs on the farm, in hatcheries or in processing, and could involve working with one of several species of cultured animals such as trout, salmon, mussels or oysters. Aquaculture Technicians are valued members of the farm team and work directly with the fish and shellfish. This career can involve several different roles such as feeding fish, caring for fish eggs, harvesting oysters or maintaining and operating farm equipment like boats, forklifts and cranes. If you enjoy hands-on roles and like working outside, this career could be for you.

Fish veterinary medicine is one of the highest profile career tracks in the aquaculture sector. This career involves one of the longest and most intense education commitments of all aquaculture careers but can be very personally, professionally and financially rewarding. The job offers a variety of roles, from diagnostic work in the lab to field work on aquaculture sites. Veterinarians have a high level of direct contact with farmed fish and shellfish and work extensively with hatchery and aquaculture site workers to ensure their animals are happy and healthy. Aquaculture veterinarians are able to find great work opportunities in every country where aquaculture is happening, offering options for living if many parts of the world.

Site Manager is a key career on the farming side of aquaculture. The site manager is the leader of the production team in a hatchery or on a marine site and is responsible for managing the daily operation and overall administration of the facility. The Site Manager ensures that company operating procedures are being applied and production targets are met. The job involves supervising the stocking of cages or tanks, monitoring and recording the growth and health of fish and shellfish, monitoring environmental conditions and coordinating the harvest of fish and shellfish. Site Managers are demand in all aquaculture areas.

The Quality Assurance Supervisor at an aquaculture processing facility is another extremely popular job, although the total number of positions available in this field is very limited. The exact duties of a Quality Assurance Supervisor can vary from facility to facility but the main role of this position is to confirm that product quality and safety are optimized. This is done by ensuring that facility processes comply with company procedures and meet national and international food safety standards. Typical responsibilities of the job include daily monitoring of product quality attributes, documenting food safety and sanitation parameters, conducting surveillance audits and preparing documentation and reports. This highly technical job requires a good level of attention to detail.

Site Foreperson is a popular choice for people with an intermediate level of work experience in the aquaculture industry, often developed through work as an Aquaculture Technician. The total number of positions needed in this field is lower than for technicians. This career path generally includes jobs on mussel and oyster farms. This highly technical job involves supervision of other members of the farm team as well as working directly with the cultured shellfish. The Site Foreperson leads the activities on site, including the setting of gear, maintenance of the farm and harvesting the oysters or mussels. It often involves maintaining and operating farm equipment such as boats, barges, forklifts and cranes. If you enjoy hands-on roles, like working as part of a team and working outside, you will probably enjoy this career.

Processing Workers are crucial personnel in fish and shellfish processing plants and this career is in high demand. This job is a popular choice for people entering the aquaculture industry and the total number of positions needed is high. This is a varied career path. It can include highly technical roles in operating computerized automated processing machines and setting up and maintaining robotics involved in packaging, storage and transport. It also offers highly skilled hands-on roles on the processing line for people skilled at cutting, trimming, cleaning or sorting fish and shellfish by hand.

Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture

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Capture fisheries - Inland waters

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Capture fisheries - Marine waters

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Aquaculture - Inland waters

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Aquaculture - Marine waters

Source: https://research.wri.org/wrr-food/course/increase-fish-supply-synthesis

Information: Historical data, 1950–2016: FAO (2017b) and FAO (2018). Projections to 2050: Calculated at WRI; assumes 10 percent reduction in wild fish catch from 2010 levels by 2050, linear growth of aquaculture production of 2 Mt per year between 2010 and 2050.

Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture

^

Capture fisheries - Inland waters

^

Capture fisheries - Marine waters

^

Aquaculture - Inland waters

^

Aquaculture - Marine waters

Source: https://research.wri.org/wrr-food/course/increase-fish-supply-synthesis

Information: Historical data, 1950–2016: FAO (2017b) and FAO (2018). Projections to 2050: Calculated at WRI; assumes 10 percent reduction in wild fish catch from 2010 levels by 2050, linear growth of aquaculture production of 2 Mt per year between 2010 and 2050.

Sustainability

Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint is the total Greenhouse Gas emissions caused by the farming of these animals. It is measured in kilograms of carbon dioxide per 40g serving of the product.

%

0.6

Atlantic Salmon

%

0.31

Blue Mussels

%

0.9

Chicken

%

1.3

Pork

%

5.9

Beef

Water Consumption

Water consumption describes the number of litres per kilogram of edible meat produced.

%

0.6

Atlantic Salmon

%

0.03

Blue Mussels

%

4300

Chicken

%

6000

Pork

%

15.400

Beef

Feed Conversion

Feed conversion ratio (FCR) describes efficiency in terms of how many kilograms of feed is required to produce 1 kilogram of animal mass.

%

1.2 - 1.5

Atlantic Salmon

%

0

Blue Mussels

%

1.7 - 2

Chicken

%

2.7 - 5

Pork

%

6 - 10

Beef

Global Production

Global Production is measured in (million) tonnes. It is based on the weight of the meat produced.

%

3.4

Atlantic Salmon

%

0.2

Blue Mussels

%

114.3

Chicken

%

120.9

Pork

%

67.4

Beef

Land Use

Land is measured by square meters needed to produce 100 grams of protein. This includes fat, bone-free meat, and other edible pieces.

%

3.7

Atlantic Salmon

%

3.0

Blue Mussels

%

7.1

Chicken

%

11

Pork

%

102

Beef

Edible Yield

Edible Yield is measured by comparing the amount of edible meat to the animal’s total weight.

%

68%

Atlantic Salmon

%

36%

Blue Mussels

%

46%

Chicken

%

52%

Pork

%

41%

Beef

Global Salmon Initiative, Sustainability Report (2020), Retrieved: https://globalsalmoninitiative.org/en/sustainability-report/

https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/14639/1/fro%CC%88sell_m_190624.pdf

http://www.fao.org/fishery/statistics/global-aquaculture-production/query/en

The Future of Food: The Rise of the Sea | Steve Gaines | TEDxSantaBarbara

The demand for food will grow dramatically by the middle of this century. How can we meet this demand with the lowest impact on the planet? Look to the sea. Steve Gaines is Dean of the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a marine ecologist who seeks conservation solutions by linking innovations in ocean science to more effective marine policy and management. His science explores the design of marine reserve networks, climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems, sustainable fisheries management using market based reforms, and the role of aquaculture in meeting the future demand for food. In each of these science endeavors, he has been a strong promotor of more effective communication of ocean science to enhance its impact.

Aquaculture in Newfoundland

Select a marker on the map!

To learn more about aquaculture throughout the province, simply touch any of the red dots on the map to get started! White dots are locations that will have additional information coming soon – so be sure to check back!

Click the markers on the map!

To learn more about aquaculture throughout the province, simply click on one of the red dots on the map to get started! White dots are locations that will have additional information coming soon - so be sure to check back!

The Lifecycle of Salmon

EGG STAGE

• A female salmon can produce 8,000 pea-sized eggs.

• Development of the egg is dependant on temperature. Warmer water means quicker development and hatching. In the hatchery eggs are incubated at about 5 degrees Celsius.

• Hatchery technicians monitor and manage water quality parameters such as temperature, oxygen level, carbon dioxide and pH.

ALEVINS

• Alevins grow to a length of 5 – 8 cm

• The attached yolk sac is their source of nutrients for several weeks.

• Alevin are unable to swim and propel themselves through water.

• Optimal water quality must be maintained and all handling must be done with care because alevins are delicate and sensitive to stress.

FRY

• The fry is now about an inch in length and is able to swim.

• Fry are ready for dry feed at around 400 degree-days after hatching.

PARR

• The vertical stripes are called “Parr marks” and assist camouflage

• At this stage they are about 2 inches in length

SMOLT

• The fish is now undergoing “Smoltification” to adapt to the sea

• A silver appearance is camouflage for the new environment

• Smolt begin to grow rapidly over the next few years

ADULT SALMON

• Atlantic Salmon are one of the largest salmon, growing up to 35 kg.
• They are able to live in both salt water and fresh water.

Healthy Food

Proteins

Proteins help heal injuries, improve bone health, and maintain muscle mass.

Recent studies recommend 20-30 grams of protein. A 3.5 ounce serving of salmon contains 22-25 grams.

OMEGA-3

Omega 3-s are an essential part of a diet because the body does not naturally make them.

Omega-3 fatty acids lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and decrease the risk of diseases.

A 2012 study showed that a daily consumption of 0.45 – 4.5 grams grants a significant improvement in arterial function.

MINERALS

Salmon contains potassium which helps control blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke.

It’s also a source of selnium which helps protect bones, reduces the risk of cancer, decrease thyroid antibodies in people with an autoimmune thyroid disease.

VITAMINS

Salmon contains several B vitamins.

B vitamins are used for controlling inflammation, producing energy, and protecting brain and heart health.

Proteins

Mussels are low in fat and high in protein. 100 Grams of mussels provides almost 50% of your recommended daily protein.

OMEGA-3

Mussels have more Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) than any other shellfish.

A 2012 study showed that a daily consumption of 0.45 – 4.5 grams grants a significant improvement in arterial function.

MINERALS

Selenium, an essential mineral helps support protein function. Eating 100 grams of mussels boosts your selenium intake by 89.6mg, more than the 55ug required daily.

VITAMINS

Mussels are high in B12 vitamins and provide a readily absorbed source of many other A, B and C vitamins.

Citation: Mussels Healthy and Delicious, Aquaculture Alliance. Aquaculturepei.com

Healthy Food

PROTEINS

Proteins help heal injuries, improve bone health, and maintain muscle mass.

Recent studies recommend 20-30 grams of protein. A 3.5 ounce serving of salmon contains 22-25 grams.

OMEGA-3

Omega 3-s are an essential part of a diet because the body does not naturally make them. Omega-3 fatty acids lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and decrease the risk of diseases. A 2012 study showed that a daily consumption of 0.45 – 4.5 grams grants a significant improvement in arterial function.

MINERALS

Salmon contains potassium which helps control blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke.

It’s also a source of selnium which helps protect bones, reduces the risk of cancer, decrease thyroid antibodies in people with an autoimmune thyroid disease.

VITAMINS

Salmon contains several B vitamins.

B vitamins are used for controlling inflammation, producing energy, and protecting brain and heart health.

PROTEINS

Mussels are low in fat and high in protein. 100 Grams of mussels provides almost 50% of your recommended daily protein.

OMEGA-3

Mussels have more Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) than any other shellfish.

MINERALS

Selenium, an essential mineral helps support protein function. Eating 100 grams of mussels boosts your selenium intake by 89.6mg, more than the 55ug required daily.

VITAMINS

Mussels are high in B12 vitamins and provide a readily absorbed source of many other A, B and C vitamins.

Citation: Mussels Healthy and Delicious, Aquaculture Alliance. Aquaculturepei.com

Take the Online Course

Aquaculture 101 is designed for learners of all types to learn about aquaculture as a sustainable practice and a job creating industry. Course topics include:

1. The History of Aquaculture.

2. The Science of Aquaculture.

3. Aquaculture Technology.

4. Sustainable Aquaculture.

5. Careers in Aquaculture.

Take the Online Course

Aquaculture 101 is designed for learners of all types to learn about aquaculture as a sustainable practice and a job creating industry. Course topics include:

1. The History of Aquaculture.

2. The Science of Aquaculture.

3. Aquaculture Technology.

4. Sustainable Aquaculture.

5. Careers in Aquaculture.

Take the Online Course

Aquaculture 101 is designed for learners of all types to learn about aquaculture as a sustainable practice and a job creating industry. Course topics include:

1. The History of Aquaculture

2. The Science of Aquaculture.

3. Aquaculture Technology.

4. Sustainable Aquaculture.

5. Careers in Aquaculture.