For this entry, I considered renaming the blog, “Any fish but this fish.” GMO fish have much to consider, but not much of it is good. Were we better stewards, this would not have become an issue, but we are a hungry planet. Can Soylent Green be far behind?
Genetically modified fish for consumption in Canada
A U.S. company hoping to produce genetically modified (GM) salmon eggs in Canada has also applied to the federal government to sell its fish for human consumption.
AquaBounty included a line about its application in a statement it released last Thursday, but company spokesman Dave Conley declined comment on the application.
“It is our policy not to discuss regulatory applications, just as it is the policy of the relevant government agencies not to discuss applications under review,” Conley said in an email.
AquaBounty received approval last November from Environment Canada for the production of Atlantic salmon fish eggs at its hatchery in Prince Edward Island, which is the subject of a Federal Court case filed by three environmental groups. Sharratt’s group isn’t among them.
The environmental groups are challenging the department’s decision and seeking the release of documentation on how it was made. Environment Canada said Tuesday it has not yet filed a statement of defence in the case.
Meanwhile, AquaBounty is also waiting for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before its fish and eggs are available for sale. The company’s statement last Thursday said it had not been provided with any indication on the timing of that decision, but the board remained confident it would ultimately receive approval.
“The company currently expects to market AquAdvantage Salmon in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Chile and China following receipt of required regulatory approvals in the applicable jurisdiction,” the statement said.
—By Keith Doucette
Interesting post you shared – glad you were able to use my photo to illustrate it. I was not able to find any reference to me as the photographer though; grateful if you’d amend this!

Hi Jenny,
Sorry about that. The credit has been added.
Great – thanks!