Caged-aquaculture in Ontario has potential for expansion; however, environmental concerns are influencing growth of this industry. Environment Canada’s Jacqui Milne has been participating in a collaborative process for sediment development for Ontario freshwater caged aquaculture since June 2010. This working group consists of industry, federal and provincial agencies, universities, and ENGOs, and holds regular meetings to discuss sediment management goals, and monitoring protocols to meet these goals. Jacqui Milne is also participating in the Scientific Technical Team subgroup charged with developing options for sediment monitoring strategies for presentation to the working group. A meeting was held in Ottawa recently at which a sediment monitoring framework was developed. Finalization of sediment monitoring protocols will be completed in 2012.

Contact: Jacqui Milne, 905-336-6432, Jacqui.Milne@ec.gc.ca, Aquatic Ecosystem Management Research

Photo showing a caged-aquaculture farm at Lake Wolsey, Manitoulin Island, Ontario | © EC, J. Milne