A discussion paper, prepared for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, served as the basis for discussions. It was very productive to have discussions between those with quite different views and concerns about aquaculture. The ministers and Secretary of State Normand will focus on the results of the June 21-22 round table to discuss the framework within which the aquaculture industry would be best able to reach its full potential.
Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production activities in the world.
Since 1984, global aquaculture has grown at an annual rate of almost 10 per cent. World farmed salmon and trout production surpassed wild salmon production for the first time in 1997. It provides more than 7,000 direct jobs and more than 7,000 indirect jobs, with over 90 per cent of jobs being in rural and coastal communities. The Canadian aquaculture industry, which is made up of more than 3,300 organizations, consists mainly of small and medium-sized businesses.