Grant: Alliance Grants

As the global population nears 9 billion, the the question of how to produce nourishing protein to meet the needs humanity in a sustainable manner is vital. Freshwater finfish aquaculture, particularly in the Laurentian Great Lakes, is a promising avenue to address this challenge, but faces significant environmental uncertainties. Specifically, concerns persist about the effect of freshwater finfish farming on nutrient levels, water quality, and local biota. Managed improperly, fish farming can lead to eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, and reduced oxygen levels, affecting local biota. This project will take a multifaceted approach to developing tools to assess the effect of fish farms on local ecosystem structure and function in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. By employing advanced research methods, including nutrient analysis, microbiome sequencing, and environmental DNA, the study seeks to inform guidelines for sustainable freshwater aquaculture. These efforts will help ensure that the growth of fish farming in the Laurentian Great Lakes is undertaken without compromising environmental health, offering a model for sustainable aquaculture that supports both the Canadian economy and local ecosystems.