The Canadian aquaculture industry is in a state of rapid expansion, growing over the last decade at rates of 12-18 percent per year depending on the species group and encompassing a wide range of sectors ranging from farming to gear technology to the initiation of alternate species. As this industry grows, the AAC believes there will be a greater need for a nationally integrated and cohesive aquaculture development policy based on good science. There have been a number of initiatives in the past to summarise R&D priorities for various segments of the industry, but these have generally been done at the regional or local levels. In addition, we are now starting to see some issues developing around semi-mature industries that should have been dealt with when the industry was still in its developmental stage. Presently, there is no one organisation that is taking the lead role in developing or implementing a common R&D agenda for this industry. The AAC, as a nationally based, independent aquaculture association representing all sectors of the industry from across the country, would be a natural choice to objectively put together such an R&D list.

The role and objectives of the Aquaculture Association of Canada have gone through a number of changes since its inception in 1984 as it has become one of the major venues for the discussion of aquaculture development in Canada. In January 1999, this role of a leading aquaculture association was further developed into a more proactive one by the decision of the board of directors during a strategic planning session held in Toronto. The mission statement for the AAC is to be the lead aquaculture organisation in Canada by:

• ensuring dissemination of information from research to industry
• ensuring communication of industry needs to the research community
• advocating for the industry through objective commentary
• advocating for research and development within aquaculture

One of the decisions resulting from the strategic planning session was to develop an objective process in which research and development priorities could be gathered from across Canada. This list would then be summarised and published for the information and reference of all members, institutions and agencies involved in the aquaculture industry within Canada.

There were multiple benefits envisioned for this approach:

• It would be a direct route for the members of the Aquaculture Association of Canada to get their views heard on a national list that could be accessed by all interested parties.
• It would be a centralised, annual list compiled of all the research and development priorities across Canada. This list would allow different regions of the country to see what the issues were in other areas in a timely manner. It would not replace local planning and development actions, but would allow less developed areas to learn from the mistakes and insights from the more developed ones.
• It would reinforce the more proactive role of the Aquaculture Association of Canada in assisting the development of aquaculture within the country.
• It would bring attention to the priorities of smaller aquaculture-related groups within the country by giving a forum to their interests.
• It would create a time series for the identified research priorities, due to the annual cycle, to chart the progress of dealing with the identified issues by both industry and their regulatory/support bodies (i.e. provincial and federal governments).

The framework for the development of the national R&D priorities was developed in the spring of 1999 by the ad hoc R&D priorities committee (S. Robinson, T. White, C. Couturier, A. Boghen) of the AAC board of directors. A review of the process was presented to the membership at a special session of the annual general meeting of Aquaculture Association of Canada in October 1999. The session followed the format of a panel discussion. The first part featured three representatives from various aspects of the aquaculture industry who described their experiences in planning for R&D and how it was critical in their ongoing operation. The speakers were: Dr. David Groves – Sea Springs Salmon Farm Ltd (Farmer), Mr. Cyr Couturier – speaking for the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (Association) and Dr.Thomas Sephton – Dept. Fisheries and Oceans (Government). Afterwards, a proposed information-flow model was presented by Dr. Shawn Robinson as a starting point for instituting a framework for the development of the AAC priorities. Discussions were held after the presentation and some of the suggestions coming from that interchange were incorporated in the process. A schematic representation of the process is shown in Figure 1.

The process started with a call (electronic and paper) to all members, industry associations, government agencies and other major interested parties for their perceived R&D priorities. The survey form was designed to break the R&D priorities down into various categories. The primary categories were based at a group level (e.g., finfish, shellfish, algae, species interactions, environment, social issues) because these are the levels the industry either directly works on or is affected by. Subcategories of each primary group were research (new information) and development (making the system better) priorities. For each of the R&D priorities listed, a period of implementation (within 1 year, within 2-3 years, within 5 years or within 10 years) was specified.

Once this list had been collected and collated from the original mail-out (Step 1), a list of all of the research priorities was to be presented at a short session at the annual general meeting of the AAC (Step 2). At that time, any new additions could have been made to the list. After the annual general meeting (midsummer), the list was to be sent out to all the AAC members and major industry participants to prioritise this list by category (Step 3). This prioritised list was then to be published in the fall on the AAC website as well as being sent to all members and major industry participants in time for planning by all the aquaculture organisations (Step 4). This process is scheduled to be done on annual basis to continually track upcoming requirements as well as an assessment of previously identified issues.

In total over 600 e-mails were sent out with the survey letter to AAC members, associations, academic institutions and government departments. A further 1,000+ letters were included in one of the last mailings of AAC material prior to the annual general meeting. A notice was also given at the AGM in Moncton, New Brunswick. In total there were 29 individual responses and 2 from groups. Although the response was quite small from the AAC members and the various aquaculture-related organisations, the input provided spanned a large number of research and development categories in all fields. The quality of the responses was quite high. Due to the small number of respondents, we decided as a board to simply publish all of the R&D priorities received in their entirety by category in this report (see below). It should be noted that the comments and opinions on R&D priorities from the AAC board members were not included in this list due to perceived conflict of interest issues. No editing of comments were done on the contributions with the exception of the correction of obvious spelling errors.

There were a few comments received from people questioning the validity and use of the survey. Firstly, some remarks from respondents reflected their concern that their participation would simply be a waste of time as the list would not really reflect the true interests of the aquaculture industry. Their opinion was that if you want to know what industry really wants, then ask them. Secondly, there was concern that a national list would tend to overwhelm local priorities in the regions and would reflect some watered-down version of priorities favouring certain special interest groups. Thirdly, there were some questions as to whether the AAC could effectively represent industry if the AAC cannot lobby for it.

To address the first point, industry from all sectors are members of the aquaculture association of Canada and, as such, have been asked for their opinion in the survey. In addition, all the major aquaculture associations were contacted for their research priorities. Therefore, the industry was not left out of the process. It is too simplistic to say "if you want to know what industry really wants, then ask them". If people live next to an industry then they probably realise some of the problems local businesses are encountering. However, they cannot be expected to know and understand the issues happening in different parts of the country in a timely fashion. Therefore, if we are to use our R&D expertise within the country effectively, there must be a central, objective location where the issues can be catalogued and accessible to all interested parties.

There is some validity in the second point raised. The degree to which someone would rank a priority can very much depend on how an issue is phrased in the question. The AAC board recognises this potential problem and is one of the reasons why we decided to simply publish the list this year. The list can simply act as a communication vehicle. Discussions within the board are ongoing on the subject. The concern that a national list would tend overwhelm local efforts should not be an issue as the provinces co-ordinate much of the R&D work occurring within their boundaries anyway. The national list could simply be a tool for less developed areas to learn from more developed areas that have experienced certain problems or successes.

The last comment on whether the AAC can reasonably represent industry as a lobby organisation is not directly relevant to this initiative. One of the missions of the AAC (see above) is to facilitate communication between all of the various levels of the aquaculture industry (farmers, equipment manufacturers, regulators, bankers, scientists, environmentalists, other industries etc.). There are already lobby organisations for the aquaculture industry (i.e. Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance CAIA). The role as a centre for information exchange is one that can reasonably done by the AAC with its diverse membership and one that this survey is intended to support.

1. General

1. Research

1. General research themes for aquaculture revolved around sustainability issues for industries that have already developed as well as new ones coming online. The effect of feeds, ingredient sources and their composition were highlighted as well as how to deal with the disease issue on farms. Some of the longer-term issues do with genetic variability and continued work on basic knowledge for the biology of the species of interest.

2. Development

1. Short-term, general development issues basically highlighted the service industries (marketing, diagnostics and treatment, information). More information and services will be required by the industry in order to develop. The longer-term issues tended to emphasise the development of new technology.

2. Finfish

1. Research

1. The largest issue for finfish research was disease; its inception, how it is spread and how to deal with it. Other themes for research were on feeding technology and carrying capacity issues. Longer-term issues tended to revolve around broodstock and genetic technology.

2. Development

1. Development was very much focused on disease issues and remediation approaches. The priorities closely reflected the research priorities.

3. Shellfish

1. Research

1. Many of the priorities for shellfish research dealt with a better understanding of the natural environment with the cultivated species. Topics ranged from getting better information on wild populations as a possible source for cultured animals to understanding interactions between culture and biofouling organisms. Longer-term issues involved research on carrying capacity and genetic programs.

2. Development

1. Development issues within shellfish aquaculture dealt with public education, better technology for growth and hatcheries and a better information transfer system (i.e. farm extension services).

4. Algae

1. Research

1. Needs for algal research highlighted more biology on natural species as well as more work on harmful algal blooms. Uses of seaweeds as bio monitoring tools as well as remediation methods should be explored.

2. Development

1. More work needs to be done on integrating algae into existing aquaculture operations to investigate the polyculture approach.

5. Species Interactions

1. Research

1. No research priorities received.

2. Development

1. Protocols should be continued to be developed for the introduction of species to new areas. Exotic species should be controlled. Development of new strains for aquaculture should be continued to reduce the risk for inter-species interactions.

6. Environment

1. Research

1. Further work should continue on interaction between cultured species in their physical environment with variables such as current, oxygen, sedimentation, nutrients, and faecal wastes. Monitoring protocols for these variables need continued development. Longer-term issues deal with carrying capacity

2. Development

1. Development priorities were concentrated on coming up with protocols to monitor the effects of the culture industry on the environment.

7. Social and Regulatory Issues

1. Research

1. Determine how to protect and support an effective infrastructure system for aquaculture.

2. Development

1. There were several different development issues identified from the social side. These were based on support for continuing education, opportunities for youth, determination of the social and economic contribution of aquaculture, more effective government policies, better environmental management and long-term growth strategies.

This process of gathering R&D priorities from a broad group of interested parties is the start to addressing the needs of the growing aquaculture industry in Canada. This survey also supports the overall mission of the AAC. Since the inception of this survey, there have been other R&D lists commissioned by government departments as well as industry organisations, so the need is obviously real.

The future of the survey by AAC will depend partly on the response we get from our members and the organisations that will use and cite our results. In subsequent surveys, we would hope to increase the level of response by our general membership. This will be one of the few information vehicles where an individual can bring specific concerns to a national forum. We hope that this initiative will increase in scope and value and we invite suggestions from our members on how to improve this process.

• Support of basic research for the long-term sustainability of the aquaculture industry.
• Develop production diets and feeding regimes suitable for those alternative species that have demonstrated potential for economic development.
• Develop appropriate feeds and feeding strategies to improve feeding efficiency and reduce waste outputs.
• Complete an assessment of the requirement in the medium term for fish feed in Canada and the likely source of supply including the possibility of developing feeds from alternative agricultural sources.

• Aquaculture as a producer of materials for pharmaceuticals (marine biotechnology R&D)
• Determine the aetiology and pathogenesis of economically significant diseases in an attempt to offer more effective measures of control and detection.
• Determine the efficacy of chemo-therapeutants commonly utilised in aquaculture, the biological dynamics of these compounds related to environmental impact and their persistence and clearing rates from fish when used as a treatment prior to harvest.
• Develop new detection and epidemiological techniques, and apply them to on farm examination.
• Investigate alternatives to chemo-therapeutant treatment, such as vaccines and alternative husbandry practices, and determine which represent more effective means of disease prevention.
• Evaluate established cultured fish strains with respect to spawning time, growth rate and disease resistance, etc., and establish a breeding program to optimise these characteristics.
• Determine genetic variability, specific parameters, and gene-environment interactions that affect growth performance and disease resistance in cultured fish, with the aim of improving those stocks.
• Enhance reproductive cycle control through improved understanding of early developmental biology, and development of improved gamete quality and preservation methods.

• Basic knowledge of the biology of aquaculture species (physiology, ecology, genetics, reproduction, etc.) so the industry can overcome crises when they arrive.

• It would be beneficial if there was more information available on the economics of fish farming e.g. the most marketable species, the most efficient technology under different conditions (land-based hatcheries versus cages), the costs involved, and business planning
• Maintain the level of diagnostic clinical and on farm services being provided to the commercial fish farming industry.
• Develop and refine advanced processing and packaging techniques to add value and assure food safety and quality, thus increasing the marketability of aquaculture products.
• Evaluate and develop new aquaculture products, with the aim of enhancing the value and marketability of farmed fish.
• Establish husbandry protocols that maximise the health and welfare of farmed fishes, without sacrificing production performance or sustainability for the farming operation.
• Identify key factors essential for industry success and enhancing the impact of specific management skills and training programs designed to improve the profitability of aquaculture operations.
• Identify those management factors which most contribute to farm success and evaluate the best methods for enhancing them.
• Develop an organised research program for recirculation technology.

• To develop new and improve existing culture practices for commercially fished species, notably clams, scallops, and possibly certain finfish species (aquaculture in support of wild fisheries)
• Develop innovative, value-added products using domestically farmed fish species to improve our competitive position and to better challenge imports from other countries.
• Develop objective methods for assessing the general welfare of farmed fish through quantitative evaluation of their physiological responses to various husbandry and management practices.
• Develop land based, saltwater engineering technologies (recirculation and flow-through) with an understanding in stocking densities, feed strategies, water quality control, control of bacterial fauna, filtration and sterilisation units, temperature control, environmental impact assessment and evaluation of cost.

• Develop hatchery and growout techniques for emerging species (wolffish, flounder, scallop), as well as a preliminary cost evaluation and market analysis for production

• Investigate the methods of transmission for new diseases and the factors contributing to spread of disease agents from farm to farm and from cage to cage
• Understanding the carrying capacity of aquaculture sites within a management region before sites and stocking densities are approved
• More evidence is accumulating that ISA is directly related to stress/husbandry, thus scientific studies are required to verify and rectify this problem.
• Investigate the impacts of ISA introduced into freshwater ecosystems.
• Increase knowledge on the behaviour and movements of salmon during the marine phase to understand the mechanisms of migration and factors that control its success.
• Study the ecological and genetic interactions between escaped farmed salmon and wild salmon
• Determine the pathobiology, and effective management of diseases which are of economic significance to the fish farming industry, including newly emerging diseases in species which may become commercially important to the fish farming industry, as well as
• Maintain or reduce the present cost of feeding salmonids through diet reformulation and improved feed processing techniques, and to improve efficiency and reduce waste discharge by optimising diets and feeding strategies.
• Investigate alternative protein sources for salmonid feeds to reduce dependency on expensive fish and soybean meals.

• Research into cage culture (as opposed to land based tank culture) for fresh water salmonid species in interior central Canada

• More thorough basic science on fish immune systems, nutrition, physiology and species variations, since species variations are poorly understood beyond basic husbandry levels.
• Investigate the use of prairie grown plant commodities to replace marine fish meal in fish feeds, along with research and new technology required in alternate feed processing.
• Improve areas of disease control and development of vaccines for new marine species.
• Marine finfish (halibut and cod) hatchery research in live feed production, start feed technologies, and use of probiotics in hatchery production
• Marine finfish (halibut and cod) growout research in determining optimal growout parameters (i.e. feed types, FCRs, stocking densities, land-based vs. marine cage technologies).
• Aquaculture of cod and flatfish species.

• Research into the husbandry of plant-eating fish species such as tilapia.
• Research on current diseases causing economic loss in the industry.
• Research on future diseases that may impact on the industry as seen in other finfish industry (e.g. Norway).
• Research on improvements in raising conditions (water quality, filtration).
• Research on improvements in FCR and food quality.
• Determining the impact of aquaculture on wild stocks and visa versa including hybridisation, competition for food and spawning sites, and disease transfer by unbiased researchers

• Improve understanding of genetic and non-genetic factors affecting growth rates, sexual maturation and spawning season, including interactions among these traits to evaluate different genetic and management strategies to maximise economic potential under differing marketing regimes.

• Develop and test various selection and mating strategies to maximise genetic gain and minimise inbreeding under farm conditions
• Integrate molecular genetic technologies into freshwater aquaculture, and include gene mapping of desirable production traits and monitoring of existing rainbow trout, Arctic charr and other salmonid stocks.
• Salmon strains with increased disease resistance

• Increased understanding of the normal physiology of farmed fish.
• Improved husbandry practices to reduce stress and disease incidence on fish farms.
• Develop better surveillance methods for existing and emerging health problems.
• Develop mechanisms to rigorously assess new vaccines (and other health management methods) for effectiveness in the field.
• Develop an emergency response team with resources to address new health problems which threaten the economic sustainability of the industry without having to go through the normal administrative delays involved with initiating a new program.
• Develop a mechanism to assess environmental impacts of treatments (e.g. antibiotics, pesticides) used on fish farms.
• STOP giving out subsidies to loud talkers with no understanding of fish biology

• Initiate a nationally co-ordinated fish health R&D program to identify priorities and collaborative research groups, and secure funding

• Develop marketing strategies for the freshwater salmonid industry all across Canada, but especially in central regions (e.g. Manitoba)

• Increased understanding of the disease processes, including host-parasite interactions.
• Promote freshwater aquaculture across Canada.
• Aquaculture of alternate species (lake sturgeon and yellow perch), along with larval feeds and growth of these species and best husbandry practices.
• Develop and test technology for offshore grow-out sites
• Gear technology development for high volume shellfish aquaculture
• Develop reliable production techniques concerning the environment, such as reduction of rejections and an optimal or more efficient use of water.
• Development of salmonid performance to permit the improvement of commercial aquaculture productivity and its extension into the marine sector.
• Aquaculture Drugs - A licensed version of Chloramine-T for use in fish in suitable package sizes ie 1kg and 10kg. The 10kg product available now is labelled as a disinfectant not a drug
• Aquaculture Drugs - Marketing of a smaller version of a licensed formaldehyde 37% product. A one gallon would be ideal for easy handling and transport for our clients

• Develop a national broodstock production program for salmon, trout, char, cod, halibut, and other development species of fish, similar to the Norwegians, to produce superior producing stocks, and model after agriculture Canada success for land-based livestock producers; research networks.
• Increased understanding of therapeutants in the control of the disease processes, including the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, effects on the environment, resistance development and monitoring.
• Develop a broodstock program for alternate species.

• Broodstock management towards production of domesticated strains of finfish with superior traits to increase product value and reduce negative impacts of inbreeding. This may resolve the effects of escapees on wild stocks.
• Aquaculture Drugs - Availability of more anaesthetic products. TMS is the only licensed anaesthetic presently available. Marinil is unavailable and benzocaine is not licensed

• Detailed population surveys of wild sea urchin stocks are required in order to determine population levels, to help establish sustainable harvest limits, and to confirm the criticality of further aquaculture research and development
• Information on site selection and carrying capacity required that is for many coastal sites
• Develop a reliable and high quality seed source for a variety of cultured shellfish species
• An environmentally friendly means of adequately controlling biofouling

• To develop larval sea urchin hatcheries and juvenile grow-out facilities, research is required to examine: seasonal availability of broodstock, broodstock nutrition and egg quality, feed requirements of larvae and juveniles, effects of temperature on larval/juvenile growth and survivorship, methods of optimising larval settlement and metamorphosis, and genetic role in larval/juvenile growth.
• Develop protocols for growing higher value species (geoduck, abalone, Stimpsons surf clam) for a greater return on investment
• Understand diseases and the genetic basis of resistance, along with depuration rates for phycotoxins, which is lacking for many species, and could facilitate harvesting protocols
• Increase an understanding of the environmental carrying capacity of inlets and/or bays before new sites or expansions to existing sites are approved by regulatory agencies (particularly in cases where a number of farms already exist in an inlet or bay).

• The role of genetics in determining juvenile sea urchin growth rates and adult roe development (primarily quality) should be examined. Research into selective breeding and triploids should be conducted

• Develop broodstock programs for hatchery reared species to move toward cultivated strains with unique traits and superior growth. A similar trend for agriculture products.

• Develop large-scale containment systems that are optimised (both biologically and economically) for commercial-scale enhancement operations of sea urchins. Components to examine may include: tank design, flow rate, water quality, feed distribution, waste management, recirculation technology, and tanks versus sea cages
• Assist growers in diversifying markets and expedite transport of products to ensure quality, exploit more European and domestic markets, and encourage restaurants to sell local produce
• Greater public awareness and education about shellfish farming and the process by which one can become a shellfish farmer written in plain language that lay-persons can understand and containing good and interesting information about technical growing details, business planning, and regulatory processes.

• More cost effective diets in hatcheries

• Large-scale juvenile sea urchin grow-out systems will need to be designed and tested. These may be land or sea based
• Increased government or regulatory agency support (i.e. less red tape, better access to sites) for new species or polyculture opportunities.
• Develop techniques and processes of production (e.g. custom equipment, management and monitoring of elevated stocks in the ocean, security and quality of virgin stocks)
• Development of the biological performance of commercial marine species adapted to hydro-climatic conditions (in Quebec) (e.g. cod or wolffish)

• Development and expansion of clam and cold water crustacean aquaculture.

• Study spatial and temporal distribution of all algal species with particular focus on harmful algal blooms
• Establish patterns and trends in phytoplankton populations
• Determine factors controlling harmful algal blooms
• Understand toxic uptake and depuration in shellfish and finfish
• Create a better understanding of the marine ecosystem and related phytoplankton blooms
• Provide a better understanding of algal bloom dynamics to aid and provide advice in the management of wild and cultured finfish and shellfish industries

• Identification of candidate species for aquaculture development
• Understanding and quantification of the bio-remediation capability of different species of seaweeds
• Use of seaweeds as site-specific reliable biomonitoring tools to detect the zone of environmental influence of aquaculture operations.

• Identify and understand the factors that influence benthic production and to apply this knowledge to current problems of coastal zone resource management
• Determine the impact of the aquaculture industry on phytoplankton and the environment

• Biopesticides to treat sea lice.
• Determine the mechanisms of action of the diseases with a view to improving aquaculture productivity.

• Study the polyculture of fish, shellfish and seaweeds for optimal biomass production per unit volume of water, with an understanding of nutrient cycling and optimal utilisation, optimal combination of species, and optimal management regime
• Multi-species culture (finfish, shellfish, algae) to mitigate negative impacts of cage culture on the environment
• Modelling of the different required components of "fed" and "extractive" aquaculture for a balanced ecosystem approach (defining the appropriate proportions between the different co-cultured organisms).
• Biological and economical advantages of the integrated aquaculture approach (how to responsibly manage physical, chemical, economical, and social carrying capacities while maintaining the integrity of biological processes and functions).
• Contribution of aquaculture operations to coastal nutrification and development of bioremediation tools

• Integration of shellfish and finfish aquaculture to make more use of human inputs (i.e. feed) and environmental space.

• Develop protocols based on sound environmental impact assessment for the introduction of species to new areas or between areas where different stocks of the same species may exist
• Development of salmon strains with proven inability to reproduce in the wild.

• Environmental effects of caged fish and shellfish industries and to develop a good rapport with the public.
• Study the interactions between wild and aquaculture salmon both locally and globally.
• Develop better methods of spatially surveying the sedimentary environment based on its structure and/or functioning
• Determine the environmental factors which influence the holding capacity of cultured marine finfish and the carrying capacity of cultured suspension-feeding marine bivalves
• Study natural environmental forcing functions, such as low dissolved oxygen conditions, which affect productivity or marketability of the mariculture industry.
• Identify the (1) source, (2) fate, (3) distribution and persistence, and (4) effects on biota and their habitat of chemical wastes produced by the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry
• Advise management and industry on the nature and dimensions of problems and suggest appropriate counter measures and alternatives for the effective management and development of salmon aquaculture
• Fish farming vs. eutrophication. Reduce personal opinions and concentrate on the best way to grow fish with minimal effect to the environment

• Consider environmental monitoring programs to gather data before, during and after operational phase for fish and shellfish aquaculture.
• Environmental impacts of recirculation systems, effluents and freshwater cage culture as it relates to feed type and potential diseases.
• Study the effects of large scale grow out systems for either finfish or shellfish on natural setting (environment).
• Determine the benefits of large-scale aquaculture to nearby communities.

• Research and development on the concept of integrated aquaculture for bioremediation and diversification of the aquaculture industry

• Transgenic lake sturgeon and yellow perch and environmental interactions.
• Determining the spatial ecosystem support (ecological footprint) required to produce natural resources (ecological goods) and assimilate wastes (ecological services) from anthropogenic activities contributing to the nutrification of coastal waters, and identifying its implications for integrated coastal zone management (is, for example, the Bay of Fundy reaching the bio-physical and chemical limits of marine ecosystem appropriation due to the ecological constraints of some activities?).

• Develop a scientific monitoring program to evaluate the effects of theraputant treatments used in aquaculture.
• Develop new monitoring methods which cost-effectively assist in coastal zone management
• Develop strict water quality parameters for aquaculture leases which may have the potential for various forms of contamination, including heavy metals, bacteria and marine biotoxins
• Develop improved water quality and testing systems as well as protocols to initiate an early warning system for impending marine biotoxin outbreaks (i.e. water monitoring for harmful algal blooms)
• Development and evaluation of lower cost, effective biotoxin/water quality screening systems as opposed to the lab based mouse bioassay or elaborate chemical analytical equipment.
• Evaluation of the socio-economic parameters that impact on the development of profitable, sustainable aquaculture ventures.

• Develop environmental performance indicators for comparisons with other industries and for time evolution follow up
• Develop production systems, feeding management practices, and other technologies that maximise the efficiency of culturing rainbow trout and other species while at the same time minimising the environmental effects of this fish production.
• Investigate the development and application of process technology that encourages water conservation, reduces environmental effects and increases efficiency and profitability.
• Investigate various approaches to quantify and mitigate environmental impacts of fish farming activities specifically to develop techniques to estimate the impacts on assimilative capacity of various receiving water systems.

• Development of aquaculture as an employment opportunity for aboriginal communities as it relates to traditional uses i.e., culture, enhancement, and assessment of stocking success.

• Determine why DFO West Coast has not implemented the Federal Aquaculture Development Strategy (FADS) as it was supposed to do in 1995.

• Protecting and supporting the social and environmental structure required by the aquaculture industry to maintain a sustainable future.

• More availability to industry-developed educational materials to pass on to prospective fish farmers to increase the success of new farms and to prevent farmers from significant monetary and personal losses
• More involvement of young people in research and development.
• Set-up a well-funded and staffed task force to promote aquaculture and cut through bureaucratic obstacles currently thwarting its progress and to fund aquaculture associations to feed this task force with inside information on the anti-aquaculture development policies, regulations, etc. of DFO and other agencies.
• The definition of aquaculture R&D priorities must be completed within the months to come
• Research priority lists are not a new invention and have been wrote for the past 20 years with little to no success. There must be a strong commitment to do more than keep the lists going from year to year and circulating them among the converted.
• Maintain quality relationships between aquaculturists and other users of the water and its resources
• An evaluation of the aquaculture contribution to the economic development to regions
• Evaluate the economical impacts (external factors) of aquaculture production over the past 10 years and continue to do so in the future.
• Utilise consumer testing and sensory evaluation studies to improve our understanding of consumer preferences.
• Begin a process to rationalise the myriad of aquatic related regulations within DFO, CFIA and the Provinces
• Mount a lobby to have governmental responsibility for aquaculture moved into the Agriculture portfolios within the Federal and Provincial governments.

• Promote aquaculture politically and socially in central regions of Canada (e.g. Manitoba) so that assistance for a growing industry (both monetary and technical) can be more readily accessible.
• A well-funded system of public research to support more applied areas of research.
• Intensive co-operation between industry, government, and academic institutions.
• Reduce conflict of interest between fisheries biologists and aquaculturists which is often reflected in attitudes and information given to the public by provincial agencies.
• Protection of growing waters from pollution. Currently the Canadian marine areas continue to be used as dumping grounds for everything nobody wants, i.e. sewage, toxins, etc. There are many laws against this but they're not enforced.
• Protection of production capacity and access to resources, i.e. aquaculture land/ocean reserve.
• Protection of market access to global markets by adopting global fish inspection programs such as HACCP.
• Elimination of non-tariff trade barriers based on obscure or redundant rules and regulations.
• Protection of habitat destruction by DFO fisheries.
• Protection of the right to farm/aquaculture.
• Protection of residence stocks by DFO from over-fishing.
• Contacts need to be broadened to include universities and government institutions involving biology, engineering, environmental sciences, food science, oceanography, business, political science, and other disciplines
• Organisation of programs and funding requires attention in undergraduate co-operative education, graduate and post-doctoral students in research and development.
• A total reliance on government funding is no longer feasible. Industrial monies must be accrued and activated.
• Science in aquaculture must be supported since science has been a major contributing factor to aquaculture development
• The regions must secure control of stocks along with the reproductive and developmental techniques
• Industry associations need to have more detailed R&D priorities.
• The AAC must get more industry growers and suppliers to actively participate in the project. Industry has to be a key player.
• Educate farmers. Experience vs. science
• Develop cost/benefit analyses that not only take into account the direct economical contribution, but also the direct and indirect effect of improving the natural or wild fishery resource (Aquaculture supporting wild fisheries).
• Fairness and efficiency of governments on aquaculture (in regulatory intervention and others) specifically in attribution and management of sites
• Development of an evaluation model for aquaculture sites (taking into account the concept of economic rent)
• Development of a transaction model for sites considering public goods theory aspects and enterprises assets accounting theory
• Identify, not only the technical and science criteria, but also the economical (e.g. price and consumer demand) and commercial (e.g. size of product and taste) criteria for profitable alternative aquaculture species.
• For every species considered, establish the size of the fish or the time length of the husbandry that maximises company’s profits keeping in mind environmental, technical and market constraints
• Schematisation of the relations within stakeholders' groups (power relations) and development of solution to anticipated and current use conflicts (models of consultation).
• Initiate or maintain extension services which to include more on-farm consultations and communication, technology transfer workshops, information seminars, fact sheets and possibly short certificate courses offered for farmers to upgrade their skills, thereby improving productivity and competitiveness.

• Increase political goals for aquaculture along with research facilities and support especially on the prairies
• Increase federal research facilities and support for the aquaculture industry, which has been weak at best, to avoid programs limping from one private source to the next.
• Schematisation of a "perfect world" regulation model with an optimisation of government intervention in with social and environmental constraints (maximisation of the global economical well being within these constraints.
• Identify the long term perspectives for aquaculture (e.g. the net gain in animal protein)
• Specific problems are unique to aquaculture, but the principles can be absorbed from agriculture in areas such as breeding, feeding, processing and marketing. Consult with experts in these established fields