COOKE AQUACULTURE CANADA CLEANERFISH PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: LAND-BASED GROWOUT AND TRANSPORTATION

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus), and to a lesser extent Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) production continues to expand in Atlantic Canada to meet the growing demand for cleanerfish as part of an integrated pest management strategy. While receiving juvenile lumpfish from Memorial University of Newfoundland Oceans Sciences Centre we continue to grow them out to cage appropriate size at 2 locations- the Belleoram facility in Newfoundland and ProNova Marine Products in Nova Scotia. This presentation will address production development at both facilities with a focus on the 2018-2019 growout cycle and development into the 2019-2020 growout.  Additionally, due to the large geographic distances involved in production here the inherent unique transportation logistics and issues will be discussed as well. While continuing to expand use and development in Newfoundland future plans include expanding cleanerfish use in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia while supporting industry development in Maine.