Tag Archives: Aquaculture

Tilapia Farming: Ecological and Profitable

Tilapia is a fish that is becoming increasingly popular around the world. Tilapia is valued by consumers as an ecologically responsible choice that tastes great, having moist, mild-flavored white flesh.

The demand for tilapia fish around the world is growing fast, creating a market for live fish as well as frozen preprocessed filets.

Tilapia multiply and grow quickly, and can be fed a variety of foods. Farmed tilapia are raised in heated tanks, and are generally fed a plant protein based diet. The wastewater from the tanks is often used to grow a plant crop hydroponically, resulting in little to no requirement for waste disposal that would harm the environment.

The combination of raising tilapia and hydroponic plant growth can offer a profitable option for Canadian farmers looking to increase profitability for a given area.

There are some major equipment and structural investments that are required to establish a commercial tilapia farm. Because of cold Canadian winters, and the requirement for warm water, tilapia tanks will best perform in a heated environment.  A greenhouse type structure is a great choice, as it will allow for maximum heating and cooling potential during the various seasons, and will allow for ideal growing conditions for the hydroponically grown plants that make up the other part of the farming operation. The other major equipment consists of tanks, heaters, filters, and pumps used to create and maintain the proper environment to raise the tilapia.

When you are ready to expand your tilapia farming business or start a new fish farming facility,

Farm Grants can help.

Find funding at:

Farm Business Funding Finder

Government Assistance for Oyster Farmers

Oct 19th 2015 -MONCTON, NB

The federal and New Brunswick invest $ 1.2 million to help seven oyster producers.

Oyster farming is, by definition, green and sustainable. Oysters cannot tolerate the discharge of sewage or other toxins; the presence of oyster farming, therefore, often results in increased awareness and monitoring of coastal waters. In addition to being important modulators of nutrient cycles in ecological systems, farmed oysters help to reduce greenhouse gases by removing carbon dioxide from the ocean for shell formation.

The seven companies to get money are Acadian Bay Enterprises Inc. in Sainte-Anne -de- Kent, Cape Oysters Ltd. Dieppe, Aquador Oysters Inc. Aldouane, R & D Shellfish Ltd. in Cocagne, King Aquaculture Inc. -Village in Richibucto, Bouctouche Mauril Bastarache and Oyster Farm Ltd. Norm -Village in Richibucto.

The province spends just over $ 377,000 through the Development Fund and the Miramichi Regional Economic Innovation, while the federal government provides repayable contributions worth about $ 893,000 by the Atlantic Opportunities Agency.

The money will be used to expand operations, increase sales and improve productivity.
In 2013, production of New Brunswick oysters were valued at over $ 5.6 million.