2003 British Columbia Aquaculture Employment Survey Results

In 2003, British Columbia’s aquaculture sector was comprised of a total of 576 licensed sites – 455 shellfish sites and 121 finfish sites. Of these the total number of sites in operation that year totalled 420 - 340 shellfish and 80 finfish. In addition there were 162 freshwater finfish sites licensed for hatchery, growout and/or u-catch-em operations, 99 of them operating in 2003. 

Jobs

Jobs are a combined total of full-time and part-time employees participating in on-farm activities only. Processing, transporting and/or marketing activities and jobs with industry suppliers are not included. In 2003, a total of 2,400 full-time and part-time jobs were reported for the British Columbia marine aquaculture sector - 800 in shellfish and 1,600 in marine finfish (including associated hatcheries). 

Person-Years (PY) of Employment

Most salmon farming jobs are full-time and year-long, while shellfish farming is more labour-intensive and employment tends to be seasonal. To calculate an estimate for total person-years of employment (i.e. estimate of full-time equivalent jobs) a methodology was developed based on farm production levels. Specifically, marine finfish PY estimates were based on 16.5 PY per 1,000 tonnes of production and shellfish PY estimates based on 36.5 PY per 1,000 tonnes of production. For 2003, British Columbia marine aquaculture generated an estimated 1,730 person years of employment.

Regional Data

Based on PYs, the distribution of British Columbia marine aquaculture jobs showed the highest concentration (43 per cent) in the Northern Vancouver Island region and predominantly in the marine finfish sector. The mid Vancouver Island region contributed 31 per cent of the employment from both the marine finfish and shellfish sectors. The west coast of Vancouver Island contributed close to 16 per cent of aquaculture employment followed by the Sunshine Coast at 7 per cent and Southern Vancouver Island of three per cent. For the freshwater sector employment was concentrated in southeast Vancouver Island, followed by the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Northern Vancouver Island, the Interior region of the province, and the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Employment by Region (PY)

B.C. Seafood Sector and Tidal Water Recreational Fishing - A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Assessment, GSGislason & Associates Ltd., February 2004.

Updated: September 9, 2009