BC creates aquaculture R&D trust fund

The Government of British Columbia is creating a trust fund for aquaculture R&D and education with a focus on making the industry more competitive and developing environmentally sustainable technologies. The fund will be financed through a levy on BC salmon farmers and may also receive contribution from the provincial and federal governments. The amount of the levy will be set following consultations with industry and the Salmon Aquaculture Implementation Advisory Committee. The fund will be used to invest in technologies and practices used by licensees to encourage green technology such as closed containment systems. It can also be used to fund educational or promotion programs, social, environment and economic impacts, R&D into finfish aquaculture technologies, methods and practices and fund administrative expenses.