Defining the appropriate regulatory and policy framework for the development of integrated multi-trophic aquaculture practices: introduction to the workshop and positioning of the issues.

摘要

The aquaculture industry in Canada is still at an early stage of development after almost three decades of expansion. It plans to continue to grow, but is debating how it can do so in a responsible, sustainable, and profitable way. This paper examines the different options (geographical expansion; intensification of existing sites, e.g., New Brunswick; diversification) and recognizes that changes in attitudes are needed and innovative practices have to be developed for further advancement. One approach is integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), which is being developed in the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, through an AquaNet project. To move from the 'pilot' scale to the commercial 'scale up' stage, the appropriate regulatory and policy framework, and the financial tools, have to be put in place or the industrial partners will have no incentive to develop IMTA. A workshop was held to identify the hurdles to IMTA and define the appropriate framework for addressing them in an efficient manner at the provincial, regional, and national levels. Most of the papers presented during the workshop are included in this issue of the Bulletin of the Aquaculture Association of Canada. A concluding paper summarizes what was accomplished during the workshop and what has been achieved since..