Identification of Groundwater Sources for Land-based Aquaculture in Southwest New Brunswick

Background:

New Brunswick has a long history of aquaculture dating back to the 1970s. Presently, the aquaculture industry in New Brunswick consists of both shellfish and finfish; the latter produced 27,423 tonnes (primarily Atlantic salmon) with an export value of $401.4 million in 2021. While export values have remained relatively consistent over the past decade, previous production volumes dropped 40% from the peak of 30,000 tonnes in 2012. Further expansion of production capabilities for Atlantic salmon are possible and will require innovation and investment with respect to techniques currently being applied in modern land-based aquaculture.

As part of the New Brunswick Finfish Aquaculture Growth Strategy 2022-2030, the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries committed to identifying suitable locations for land-based aquaculture by completing a groundwater assessment study. Considerations identified for suitable aquifers include:

• ability to sustainably provide high volumes of water (500 – 2000 L/min),
• appropriate water quality (including the potential for saline sources), and
• proximity to the coastline.

A priority is to focus on production of larger smolt or ‘post-smolt’ (<1 sea-winter age) in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) to, in effect, increase overall production capabilities of the salmon farming sector (as well as any other candidate finfish species for the area). In comparison to the traditional method of raising juvenile salmon in freshwater systems to ~100g smolt, an increase in the capability of land-based systems to produce larger size fish can reduce the marine site grow-out time required. The development of post-smolt systems, employing the latest in recirculation technology combined with utilization of salinity and other necessary environmental controls, would also reduce the current constraint on logistics and resources involved with transferring 100% of stock to sea. Salinity controlled RAS will provide the option of stocking post-smolt directly to marine sites (via well boats) at various times of the year and thereby control or stagger the time fish on marine sites reach market size.

The current situation with persistent sea lice in the marine environment is a limiting factor for industry growth.  Reducing the time required to grow salmon in marine cages is an effective strategy to reduce overall risk from sea lice.

Other Considerations:

There are many criteria to consider in determining site selection for land-based aquaculture. Available land for construction and development of a wellfield is the starting point. As such, any proponent planning to establish land-based operations would have the onus of assessing their water supply in terms of quality and quantity (or salinity) by consulting a qualified Hydrogeologist. The development of a wellfield yielding >50m³ water per day (approx. 35Lpm flow) will require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) registration and review, completed in accordance with the Department of Environment and Local Government’s Guide to Environmental Impact Assessment in New Brunswick and its Additional Information Requirements for Aquaculture Facilities.  The Registration must also include a water supply source assessment completed in accordance with Department of Environment and Local Government’s Water Supply Source Assessment Guidelines. To determine sustainable year-round supply of water (particularly during normal low water table events in late summer / early fall) would potentially involve sediment sieve sizing to engineer screening for maximum yield, 72-hour pump tests and test wells to determine draw down on neighbouring wells.  

For further information on land-based aquaculture production and background on the attached hydrogeology maps, please reach out to Cory Taylor – Biologist – Land Based Aquaculture, at [email protected] or (506) 755-4000.