Fish farming

Canada has the world’s longest coastline, the world’s largest freshwater system, and the world’s largest tidal range, so it’s little surprise that aquaculture—also called fish farming—is a natural choice for our country. Canadian fish farmers raise more than a dozen types of fish and shellfish. The main three species of finfish raised are salmon, rainbow trout, and arctic char; 148,710 tonnes of fish were produced in 2021. Mussels and oysters are the most common types of shellfish farmed in Canada. British Columbia produces the most fish and is particularly known for both farmed and wild salmon. Prince Edward Island is home to the most shellfish farms. Canada’s first-ever Code of Practice for the care and handling of farmed salmonids was released in 2021 and can also be found at www.nfacc.ca.

Insects are farm animals too!

Some farmers in Canada and other countries are now raising insects. Crickets are a major source of protein for over two billion people from Mexico to Asia, and insect-based food products, from flour to nutrition bars and pasta sauces, are now available in Canadian grocery stores too. Insect protein has long been used as reptile and fish feed. More recently, insect proteins have become a valuable feed ingredient for farm animals like pigs and poultry.

Horses

In Canada, most horses are used for recreation, but many also work on ranches to help move and manage livestock. Horses eat grass, hay, oats, corn, and barley.