DFO's Office of Sustainable Aquaculture to oversee two new research programs

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has created a new Office of Sustainable Aquaculture (OSA) and received $32.5 million over the next five to conduct research into the science and technology surrounding aquaculture. The funding which was identified in the last federal Budget and will help to fund a collaborative R&D program modelled on the highly successful Matching Investment Initiative at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Announced last month, the R&D component is part of a $75-million package that includes $20 million for a human health program and $22.5 million to improve the management and regula-tory framework for aquaculture.

The OSA will be responsible for both developing policy surrounding aquaculture and running the new funded programs. Headed up by DG Richard Wex, it will be staffed with a small management team and 10 senior officers handling policy and liaison. The Office is currently situated in DFO's policy branch and Wex says it will be handle horizontal management of the file.

"What we're after is approaching this in an integrated fashion. The research will be integrated as well," says Wex. The OSA will also be in regular contact with the Office of the Commissioner, Aquaculture Development, which is currently undertaking a legal review of the sector.

The new program also complements programs administered by Environment Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Industry Canada. It is also certain to interact with AquaNet, a federal Network of Centres of Excellence officially launched in July to conduct research pertaining to animal production, environmental integrity and socio-economic issues. A memorandum to Cabinet has been drafted for the program, and when approved, it will comprise a submission to Treasury Board, with funds expected to flow by the Fall.

Aquaculture R&D and regulatory reform figure prominently in the 1995 federal Aquaculture Development Strategy and were identified in the 1997 Liberal "Red Book" as critical success factors for the industry . The aquaculture industry in Canada is currently growing at 15% annually and now accounts for 27% of the nation's fish and seafood production. But that growth has been accompanied by increasing concern over pollution created by many aspects of fish production, as well as the dangers inherent in mixing genetically modified breeds with species found in the wild.

The collaborative R&D program, entitled the Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP), will furnish funds for projects proposed and jointly funded by the private sector (represented by the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance) or provincial governments. The goal is to provide funds on a 50/50 basis within five years, although the DFO portion will initially be higher.

"We want to move forward in a sustainable manner," says Wex. "Proposals to the ACRDP will be industry driven but we have to develop criteria and guidelines and all proposals will be peer reviewed."

The types of projects anticipated include research to reduce production costs and increase competitiveness, new species such as sea urchins, sablefish and haddock, technological innovation related to utilized species and the development of hatchery and grow-out technology. All projects will be awarded on a competitive basis and are subject to peer review and assessment.

The overall program also includes $12.5 million over five years for basic research in environment and biological science. The research is designed to underpin DFO's ability to develop and implement management strategies promoting environment sustainability by examining the impact of aquaculture on Canadian ecosystems and aquatic resources. Specific research projects will focus on:

• potential for new and existing aquaculture species;

• chemical, physical and biological effects;

• carrying capacity of aquatic environments;

• environmental effects of aquaculture operations on fish habitat;

• impact of cultivated and wild stock interactions;

• new species development;

• early life history and nutrition;

• broodstock development; and,

• culture techniques.

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