Terry Brooks, President, Golden Eagle Aquaculture / Golden Eagle Sable Fish has lived in Campbell River for 25 years
Aquaculture provides economic and social benefits to B.C.'s coastal communities
Terry Brooks was 19 when he started working in the aquaculture industry. It was 1985 and the commercial fisheries industry was in trouble.
"My family had a long history in wild commercial salmon and they had seen the decline in the 1980s in the [industry], so they encouraged me to go into aquaculture," says Mr. Brooks. Little did he know that decision would create a lifetime of opportunity, both in his hometown of Campbell River, B.C., and internationally.
"During those early years as production manager for Marine Harvest Canada, I travelled extensively – to Norway, Chile, Maine and New Brunswick – to learn what those industries were doing and to bring some of their farming technology back to B.C.," says Mr. Brooks, who has lived in Campbell River for 25 years and raised two sons, both of whom are employed in B.C.'s aquaculture industry.
Today, as president of two new companies – Golden Eagle Sable Fish and Golden Eagle Aquaculture – Mr. Brooks reflects on the economic impact of aquaculture to the provincial economy. "There is no doubt that the farming industry will be an important part of the B.C. economy well into the future."
Campbell River's mayor, Andy Adams, agrees and puts into context the economic impact of aquaculture on his small coastal city with its population of 31,000.
Terry Brooks, President, Golden Eagle Aquaculture |
I travelled extensively to Norway, Chile, Maine and New Brunswick – to learn what those industries were doing and to bring some of their farming technology back to B.C.”
"The benefit is staggering," notes Mr. Adams. "People from all over the world are coming here to work. Some are saying, 'I want to stay here.' They're building homes and they're planting roots. It's an exciting time for Campbell River." Aquaculture brought much needed diversification to the city after a pulp mill and sawmill shut down within 18 months, says Mr. Adams, leaving a loss of 1,500 jobs. That was eight years ago.
"It was devastating for the community. As a result, diversification of our economic base has been critical," he says.
Today, Cermaq Canada is the community's sixth-largest employer, with 250 employees. Marine Harvest Canada,
according to the mayor, is the eighth- largest employer with 193 employees. And Grieg Seafood B.C. is the 11th-largest employer, with 127 employees.
One of those planting roots on Vancouver Island is Ashley Puetz.
"Other than salmon farming, there was no work," recalls Mr. Puetz, now 30 and married, with two young daughters under five years old. "If I'd pushed really hard, I might have gotten a job in logging."
Ten years later, Mr. Puetz's experience and skills in salmon farming are in huge demand. The salmon farm technician just got a new job with Marine Harvest Canada. "I've been with Marine Harvest for over a year, which offers me more opportunities and opens up new doors."
Mr. Puetz is glad he pursued a career in salmon farming – a growing industry – rather than taking a job in logging or mining. "Mining is taking a major downhill turn," he notes. "My father-in-law is a miner. He worked at it for 20 years and he just got laid off. He's had to go to Alberta to finish off the last of his working days."
The economic impact of the farm-raised-salmon industry to British Columbia and Canada is remarkable. According to a 2015 study prepared for the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association by chartered accountancy and business advisory firm MNP, the salmon farming industry is worth over $1.1-billion to the B.C. economy and results in about 5,000 jobs.
The average industry wage, according to the MNP study, is 30 per cent higher than the provincial median employment income. These jobs are typically created in areas of higher unemployment, particularly on Northern Vancouver Island.
Then there are the community and social benefits. The MNP study notes that the industry has made valuable contributions to local charities and community organizations, developed partnerships with research and educational institutions and formed partnerships with First Nations peoples. In 2013, BCSFA members donated $600,000 to local organizations and causes, according to the report.
The community contribution is "significant," says Mr. Adams. "The industry contributes both financially and in kind – with product, barbecue trailers and staff time – to help hundreds of non-profit sports teams and charity groups that put on fundraising events that help the local economy. They provide the financial infusion to those non-profit [groups to] allow them to do great stuff in the community."
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department in consultation with BC Salmon Farmers Association. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.