Key Industry: Aquaculture

“Campbell River is the epicenter of salmon farming on the West Coast of Canada.”

— Heather Clarke, Poseidon Ocean Systems

Aquaculture IN Campbell River and BC: A SNAPSHOT

• Campbell River is a strategically situated hub for the aquaculture industry in North America, and it continues to grow

• Five aquaculture employers are based in Campbell River, including three international producers: Cermaq, Mowi and Grieg Seafood

• The aquaculture industry is responsible for 7000+ jobs in BC, and is rapidly expanding in size and personnel

• Aquaculture adjacent companies such as engineering firms, equipment suppliers, and manufacturing outfits are moving to Campbell River to ensure mutual growth and improve local economic development

• Farm-raised salmon is BC’s main agricultural export, with an economic impact of more than $1.5 billion (Source: BCSFA, Raising Opportunity: Sustainability Report 2019)

Salmon capital campbell river

This documentary - created with funding from Telus Storyhive - looks at the local First Nations people’s usage of salmon throughout the ages, along with the rise of sport fishing, commercial fishing, and aquaculture.

“Everybody in Campbell River has some kind of a story with salmon,” filmmaker Eiko Jones states, “but the extent of how many people, businesses, and cultures are connected with salmon was really interesting.”