ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE NET PEN AQUACULTURE IN LAKE HURON, ONTARIO, CANADA

Net pen culture of Rainbow t rout in the waters of Lake Huron has grown over the last three decades to provide significant economic and social value to Ontario.   Those values are accrued by the public and by First Nations whom have increasing interests in the industry.  With refinements in the regulatory framework for net pen aquaculture, there is impetus to expand production further.  The history, current status, and future projections for the industry and the regulatory framework developed by the Province of Ontario and the related Federal regulations, which have been established to ensure the ecological sustainability of the sector, will be presented.    The industry has adopted certification protocols whic h similarly support the  economic and ecological sustain ability of the sector .   The development and regulation of freshwater net pen aquaculture has been based on an investment in science to su pport best culture practices  to minimize environmental impacts.