Aquaculture is the farming of fish, shellfish and aquatic plants in fresh, brackish or salt water. Most aquacultural crops are destined for human consumption. Other products include bait fishes, ornamental or aquarium fish, aquatic animals used to increase natural populations for capture, and for sport fishing.
Aquaculture is a unique industry based on new technologies.
It is a sustainable agri-food sector using aquatic resources. Aquaculture products are maintained in managed culture settings, either in earthen ponds, freshwater lakes and bays, or open oceans. They are fed and cared for to ensure optimum health and product quality. Once the fish or shellfish reach an appropriate size, the crop is harvested, processed to meet consumer requirements and shipped to market, generally arriving within hours of leaving the water. Commercial aquaculture ventures are operating in all 10 provinces and in the Yukon Territory.