This year, salmon farming companies dominated the top 10 in the Coller FAIRR Protein Index which lists the sustainability standards of the world’s largest publicly traded protein producers.
The Coller FAIRR Protein Producer Index, published by The FAIRR Initiative, recognizes farmed salmon producers as the world’s most sustainable animal protein producers. By all indicators, salmon farming is the planet’s most environmentally efficient animal production: lowest fresh water use, lowest carbon emissions, smallest environmental footprint.
The Coller FAIRR Index is the world’s only comprehensive assessment of publicly-traded animal protein producers on critical environmental, social and governance issues. Among the salmon companies listed, two companies, Grieg Seafood and Mowi, have operations in Canada. Canada’s two other major salmon producers, Cermaq and Cooke Aquaculture, are privately-held companies and not included in this Index, but are globally recognized in other leading sustainability indices.
“Canadians should celebrate the global-leading sustainability performance of this innovative food producing sector,” said Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance. “In addition to playing a leadership role in environmental stewardship, Canadian salmon farmers are producing a healthy and secure food, creating year-round jobs, and they are opening new economic opportunities for rural, coastal and Indigenous communities.”
Salmon farming is a blue economic opportunity for Canada at a time when farm-raised seafood is an increasingly important food source globally. The United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts that seafood farming globally will produce 63 per cent of all seafood by 2030. Seafood farming is already the source of over half of all global seafood production.
“There is such incredible opportunity for this young and dynamic sector in Canada,” explained Kennedy. “Salmon farming is an increasingly precise practice which incorporates traditional animal husbandry with high tech solutions. There has been consistent improvement year to year through investment in new technology and innovation. We’re producing healthy Canadian-grown protein while protecting the environment and helping to combat climate change.”
