Canadian Government invests in land-based Atlantic salmon aquaculture

23/08/2024

Economic development agency Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) has invested in land-based Atlantic salmon aquaculture startup Samonix. The investment is just under CA$100,000 (A$110,000).

"Promoting innovation and economic growth in all regions across the country is a priority for our government," Sophie Chatel, a member of parliament representing Pontiac, Quebec, Canada, said. "In this spirit, we support promising projects by businesses such as Samonix, located in one of Quebec's economically vulnerable RCMs [regional county municipalities]. By assisting a business such as Samonix in its pre‑startup phase, we are helping ensure more inclusive economic growth to the benefit of the Pontiac community."

Samonix, founded in 2020, is working to build a 12,000-metric-ton (MT) land-based salmon farm in Pontiac. The facility will use a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) which will recirculate 99 percent of its water. Once it begins producing salmon, it plans to supply areas in Quebec, Ontario, and northern U.S. states.

The investment from CED builds upon other partnerships Samonix has secured with prominent salmon aquaculture companies. In January, Smart Salmon Group – alongside Smøgenlax – announced a major strategic partnership with Samonix. Smart Salmon Group is a land-based salmon-farming company with projects in Norway and France.