OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) is proud to publish its 2025 Sustainability Report for Canadian salmon farming which highlights the sector’s commitment to responsible food production for chefs, grocers and families.
The reporting benchmarks are centred around fish health, climate change, sustainable feed, food security, food traceability, ocean health, and public reporting.
“Aquaculture farmers know that growing food for Canadians must be environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable,” said Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO of Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance. “These results show salmon farming companies have adopted science-based methods that have improved the standard of salmon farm sustainability overall in Canada. Moreover, the results clearly reinforce that ocean farming, innovation, increased production and job creation need to be supported by governments to build investor confidence.”
Health and welfare are a top priority for producers as demonstrated in the report. Progress was reported for several indicators under the fish health anchor giving credit to best management practices and technologies that support the well-being of farm-raised salmon and protection of wild salmon.
Key Highlights of the 2025 Sustainability Report:
Antibiotic use cut in half. Vaccines and advanced veterinary health management practices enabled a 50% reduction in the antibiotic use. Strictly regulated withdrawal periods follow any use of medication. All farm-raised salmon sold in Canada is approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as a healthy food choice and The Canada Food Guide labels salmon as part of a healthy eating pattern.
Fish survival rates increased to nearly 85%. While some crop loss is an accepted part of all food farming, 100% of the farm-raised salmon in Canada is done in compliance with the fish welfare code and mortality-loss during farming has dropped to only 15% nationwide.
Responsible feed sourcing up to 97%. Nearly all marine ingredients (including fishmeal, oil and protein) in fish feed are sustainably certified by accredited third party organizations. One of the biggest evolutions in salmon feed is a decrease in fish-based ingredients (less than 20%) and an increase in plant-based ingredients, like algae and canola oil.
Fish escape incidents in the ocean are down from 13 to 8 nationwide. In 2023, the total number of escaped fish from farm cages was 1,246 from 8 incidents.
100% of ocean farms are reducing waste by using underwater cameras and sensor equipment to ensure the fish are fed the appropriate amount of food.
Assessments by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the sector’s federal regulator, have consistently found that the farm-raised salmon sector poses no more than minimal risk to wild salmon, and the companies have followed all Canadian laws and regulations.
“Canada has the most cold-water aquaculture potential in the world. We can be a global leader but, to build Canada strong, this opportunity needs to be realized,” said Kennedy. “Right now, there is a window for Canada to re-set policy to embrace the seafood farming sector as part of the fabric of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector and protect Canadian workers and the over 3,000 supplier companies to the sector. We are ready to build and grow a future of sustainable and secure food production and dynamic coastal communities,” stated Kennedy.
“While we are proud of our progress, we are committed to pursuing improvement in our practices and technology,” continued Kennedy. “With the right regulatory environment and a pathway to unlock investment in innovation, we will continue to advance the sector's performance, responding to challenges and ensuring a healthy, secure, and high-quality Canadian source of food for all Canadians."
For more information on CAIA’s commitments, actions, and targets, please visit the Love Salmon website.
About the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA): Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance is the national association that speaks for Canada’s seafood farmers, representing their interests in Ottawa and internationally. In 2023, CAIA members generate over $5.3 billion in economic activity, $2 billion in GDP, and employ over 17,550 Canadians delivering a healthy, growing and sustainable seafood farming sector in Canada.
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Media Inquiries:
Sheri Beaulieu
Marketing and Communications Manager
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
Email: sheri.beaulieu@aquaculture.ca