Alberta Aquaculture

During the last four years, aquaculture in Alberta has advanced rapidly, changing from a number of small-scale fish farms producing mainly rainbow trout for the fingerling market to an estimated 11 million dollar industry. Alberta's aquaculturists now raise a number of new fish species and are involved with supplying fish for various table markets, for biological weed control and for U-fish opportunities. Worldwide, aquaculture is at a turning point, as wild fisheries continue to decline. As a relatively new industry in Alberta this sector is at a pivotal junction. Alberta has a tremendous potential for aquaculture success if certain critical factors are addressed and fulfilled.

In partnership, industry and government need to create a sustainable development strategy or plan. This plan must support and enable industry to continually upgrade its capability to secure and maintain a competitive advantage. Among the key issues needing to be addressed are: market competition and policy regulatory constraints.

Globalization has increased the pressures of competitiveness, but this will also generate new market opportunities. Aquaculture development must not be unduly constrained or burdened by government policy or regulatory framework. At the same time, however, development must be consistent with government responsibilities in protecting the environment.

On July 1, 2000, the Employment Standards Regulations were effectively amended to include aquaculture as a primary agriculture operation.

What this means is the production of cultured fish within the context of the Fisheries (Alberta) Act is now covered the same as other agriculture industries. Employees in the aquaculture industry are now exempt from: * minimum wages: * hours of work, overtime and overtime pay; * general holidays and general holiday pay; * vacations and vacation pay; * restrictions on employing children under 18 years

For additional information, call: Manager of AAFRD's Aquaculture Section, in Lethbridge, telephone (403) 381-5539