Research priorities in the British Columbia salmon farming industry

This report outlines the major research needs of the salmon farming industry in British Columbia. The research topics are prioritized by section, the highest priority areas placed earliest in the report; within sections, the highest priority topics are placed first. Disease ranks as the leading priority, with Bacterial Kidney Disease the leading problem for the industry today. Harmful plankton is another important cause of fish loss and is included in this section. Nutrition and Genetics are nearly equal in importance and closely related to each other, because domestication affects nutritional needs of fish. Various aspects of husbandry and management need research attention, and product quality will become increasingly important as world production of farmed salmon increases and capture fishery products face rising competition from farmed products. Research needs change quickly as solutions are found to current problems and new problems are encountered. This summary of the industry's research needs will be revised on a regular basis. It is hoped that regular reports of research needs will provide a useful guide to researchers, government bodies and funding agencies. The B.C. Salmon Farmers Association will actively promote needed research and will seek a coordinated approach among all interested parties, to ensure that the industry's problems are addressed quickly and efficiently as possible.