At Gold River Aquafarms, we are on the verge of becoming the largest land-based farming facility of Steelhead Salmon in Canada, marking a significant stride towards increasing the production of high-quality sustainable protein sources in the country.
Ensuring Environmental Impact Reduction:
Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond just our mission – it’s ingrained in our practices. By eliminating the impacts on wild stocks, sensitive habitats, and ecosystems, our goal is clear: to provide a reliable and sustainable source of seafood for regional, domestic, and international markets.
This commitment is realized through our proprietary Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology, ensuring a controlled, land-based environment that leads to disease-free fish production with no impact on other species or wild habitats. This addresses a key constraint of our global food system – environmental impact. By eliminating negative effects on natural habitats, our practices are not just environmentally conscious but also vital for the future of sustainable protein production.
Local and Reliable Seafood for Canadian Consumers:
Recognizing the importance of having a local source of seafood, Gold River Aquafarms will be producing a consistent supply of high-quality Steelhead Salmon that is reliable and disease-free. The elimination of pollutants from our processes aligns with consumer preferences for healthy and ethically produced food.
British Columbia produces roughly ⅔ of the finfish grown in Canada. However, recent regulatory changes have reduced production levels by 40%. This has created a local economic impact through loss of labour, and increased food costs as more imported seafood is consumed.
Canadians need a reliable source of high-quality seafood, and Gold River intends to contribute to that supply.
There is a large and growing number of land-based finfish farms either in operation, under construction or planned around the world. According to Spheric Research [1], in 2021 there were 102 land-based salmon facilities projects in the world, up from 82 two years prior.
“The growth of aquaculture has been fuelled by the expansion in global trade, declines in the availability of wild fish, competitive product pricing, rising incomes, and urbanization—all of which contribute to rising per capita consumption of seafood worldwide” [2].
That trend continues, and Gold River envisions expansion in the British Columbia region to help fill the supply gap.
Investing in the Future of Food:
As the global population approaches 9.7 billion by 2050, the demand for sustainable and efficient food production is more critical than ever. Gold River Aquafarms extends an invitation to stakeholders to invest in the future of food. By embracing our method of land-based aquaculture, we can meet the growing demand for ocean-based protein and contribute significantly to a more sustainable future.
The global food system is at a turning point, and Gold River Aquafarms stands at the forefront, offering a solution that aligns with the values of conscientious consumers and the needs of the planet.
[1] https://www.undercurrentnews.com/report/land-based-aquaculture-report-2021/