Leading the way in Ontario for humane harvesting

02 February 2024

Arlen and RJ are second generation aquaculturists who set up Cedar Crest Trout Farms. Arlen served on the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) that devised the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farmed Salmonids. As well as running the business, RJ is the Managing Director for the Ontario Aquaculture Association and is involved in advisory groups for the province’s agriculture and environmental ministries.

Challenge

Cedar Crest were the first land-based farms in central Canada to get certified by the Best Aquaculture Practices program and have always raised fish with family, community and the environment in mind. They approached Ace Aquatec with the aim of becoming the first farm in Canada to adopt a best practice, welfare first stunning method well before the legislation changes in 2025. Like the majority of farms in Ontario, they pumped the trout directly into slush ice but this outdated method was at odds with Arlen’s approach to humane and sustainable farming. The system had to stun the fish unconscious in less than one second and had to be portable so it could be stored indoors over winter. It also had to be able to function at sub-zero temperatures and integrate easily into the current set up.

Solution

Developed from Ace Aquatec’s award-winning humane stunning technology, the A-HSU® was configured specifically for trout. Each species requires a different set up to ensure maximum efficacy. The technology pumped the trout from the cages into the stunner whilst still in-water which drastically reduced the stress to the harvested fish. Once fully stunned the trout were put into iced totes and transported to the processing plant.

Results and benefits

“When we talk about the stunner, I have been nothing but absolutely impressed. We have already successfully harvested over 500,000 pounds this season. I would absolutely recommend the Ace Aquatec system. It shows complete versatility for many different applications, many different species”. - Arlen Taylor, Cedar Crest Trout Farms.

With the Ace Aquatec in-water technology, the trout remain in water, dramatically reducing stress at harvest which was one of Cedar Crest Trout Farms’ key welfare goals. The stunning technology rendered 100% of the trout unconscious in less than one second, which met the highest fish welfare goal as well as improved the quality of the fish. The trout product now coming out of Cedar Crest Trout Farms is approved by NFACC and also approved under Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP).