The project
Innovation in the heart of Quebec
Samonix is seeking to establish a large-scale land-based aquaculture farm in the Outaouais region of Quebec. The proposed facility will produce 10,000 metric tonnes of salmon annually, which will allow us to supply high-quality salmon to the Quebec, Ontario and northern United States markets. The project will use land grow-out technology combined with water treatment to allow for more than 99% recirculation.
The site
Having been previously used as a log storage site for a now shuttered paper mill in the municipality of the Pontiac, our site benefits from industrial zoning and access to the Ottawa River, making it the perfect place for our project. Additionally, the project’s location within Quebec provides access to clean, zero-carbon electricity. We are excited to convert this land from a high-polluting industrial zone to one that reduces the site’s water consumption by 90%, produces extremely limited discharge into the environment, and reduces greenhouse gases through the production of a local food source.
Samonix land Acknowledgment
Samonix acknowledges that our project in Litchfield, Québec, is situated on the traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabeg. Located on the banks of the Kichi Sibi, the Ottawa River, this place has long held cultural, historical, and living significance for Indigenous peoples. We offer this acknowledgment with respect and humility, and with a commitment to building relationships rooted in listening, responsibility, and respect.
Project status
We are currently in the technological development phase.
The technology
After evaluating and visiting dozens of technologies and processes worldwide, we have chosen to implement a land-based aquaculture technology known as a Recirculating Aquaculture System, commonly referred to as RAS (pronounced “RAZ”). This technology, already deployed commercially in other countries, has proven its effectiveness.
Why High Recirculation RAS ?
High Recirculation RAS offers many benefits, including reduced water consumption and discharge into local waterways, improved biosecurity due to the contained environment, and optimal fish growth without the use of pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones, courtesy of the controlled environmental conditions. High Recirculation RAS is the most efficient form of RAS in terms of water recycling and thus consumption. It will allow us to recirculate 99% of our water, almost eliminating environmental discharge, and will treat and recirculate water in our tanks every 80 minutes for optimal water quality.
The results
The continuous recycling of water guarantees the water’s purity and the absence of pathogens or parasites. The water from the salmon pools is completely treated and recirculated every 80 minutes and always kept at a stable temperature, allowing the best conditions for growing healthy salmon. Strict biosecurity prevents the infiltration of pathogens and parasites. Nutrition is adapted to the life cycle of the fish and reproduces the natural habitat, resulting in optimal, healthy growth. Monitoring throughout the process ensures the quality of the water and allows us to sustainably produce healthy salmon from egg to plate.
RAS benefits
Clean water
Regular treatment and recirculation means no diseases, no antibiotics, and no pesticides.
Healthy fish
A tank system prevents environmental contamination and parasites.
Optimal conditions
Fully-controlled water temperature and purity ensure optimal conditions for fish health and growth.
High recirculation
Water intake requirements are reduce because 99% of water is recirculated.
Limited discharge
High recirculation means very limited volumes of discharge into local waterways.
Waste upcycling
By-products are transformed into carbon-neutral natural gas and nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Local production
On-land production means facilities can be built closer to market, resulting in truly local fish even for inland communities.
Food security
Indoor facilities enable year-round production, regardless of temperature or weather, ensuring a stable food supply.
Reduced transportation
Building facilities closer to market results in reduced transportation times, meaning fresher products, less waste, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
FAQ
Social and economic questions
Production is primarily intended for the Quebec and Ontario markets. A portion is also expected to be exported to the United States in order to diversify markets and customers.
With abundant water sources and access to clean, zero-carbon electricity, Quebec is uniquely positioned to lead sustainable salmon farming for the North American market. Our location will allow us to benefit from 100% hydroelectric power, which is one of the cleanest renewable energy sources in the world. Additionally, our project aligns with Quebec’s 2025-2035 bio-food policy (Nourrir ses ambitions) which emphasizes innovation and collaboration to ensure healthier, more local, and sustainable food production and consumption. This includes supporting new agricultural technologies, such as the High Recirculation RAS system that Samonix is proposing.
Samonix will drive significant local job creation in the Pontiac, across the construction, operations, and supply chain sectors. It will also create opportunities for the creation of new local businesses to support and complement this emerging industry. Our project marks the beginning of a transformative new industry in Quebec, positioning the region as a leader in sustainable aquaculture. On-land, RAS-based salmon farming represents the future of seafood production and Quebec needs to seize the opportunity to be part of this growing market.
The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the region, including the creation of approximately 100 direct jobs, contracts for local businesses, new training opportunities, and the revitalization of a former industrial site. Samonix aims to prioritize local hiring when skills are available. The project will create needs across several areas, including operations, maintenance, water treatment, processing, logistics, administration, and management. Some specialized positions may also encourage new families to settle in the region. The goal is for the project to be not only a business initiative, but also a concrete driver of regional development for Pontiac.
Yes. Samonix began information and consultation efforts as early as 2022 with key stakeholders and the population of Pontiac. Over the past years, the team has engaged with the Pontiac MRC, municipal, provincial, and federal elected officials in the region, the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce, as well as First Nations communities, including Kitigan Zibi, with whom several discussions and meetings have taken place. Samonix has also held exchanges with environmental organizations, including Garde-rivière des Outaouais and the Outaouais Regional Council for Environment and Sustainable Development. A public consultation was also held in March 2025, attended by nearly 50 people who met the team and asked questions. The project has further received extensive media coverage at the local, national, and specialized levels, helping inform the public about its main components. Samonix continues to engage with regulatory authorities, including the Quebec Ministry of the Environment, Transport Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Samonix aims to respond to citizens’ concerns in a respectful, transparent, and factual manner. Some questions require simple and direct answers, while others, which are more technical, must be explained clearly without unnecessary jargon. With this in mind, Samonix publishes information on its LinkedIn and Facebook accounts and has created this “Questions & Answers” section to address the most frequently asked questions. These efforts are in addition to public meetings, discussions with municipalities, and communications with regional partners, which help keep the public informed at each stage of the project’s development. Citizens can also send their questions directly to the following email address: info@samonix.ca
Samonix was founded by Mathieu Farley, a CPA and entrepreneur from the Outaouais region who has been working on the project for several years. He is also co-owner of Samson, an auditing and management consulting firm, as well as Exo Construction, a residential development and construction company. Mathieu Farley is supported by family members, friends, and partners who have invested in the project with him. To date, several million dollars have been invested in studies, analyses, and technology research. Samonix has also surrounded itself with recognized experts, including Smart Salmon for salmon farming expertise, and Smögenlax for water treatment and high-recirculation aquaculture systems. The project also benefits from consulting services provided by several specialized firms, as well as support from MAPAQ teams as part of the project development process. This collaboration allows the project to rely on specialized knowledge, proven technologies, and guidance adapted to the Quebec context.
Technical questions
Current farming methods involve raising salmon in net pens directly in the ocean. High Recirculation RAS technology isolates the fish from their wild habitat within on-land facilities, enabling 100% control over all elements of their life cycle without ever coming into contact with external ecosystems. Additionally, building on-land facilities allows them to be placed closer to markets and consumers, which reduces transportation and results in fresher fish with a smaller carbon footprint.
RAS has transformed aquaculture by shifting fish farming from open waters to on-land facilities. This allows for a more controlled environment where water quality, temperature, oxygen levels, and waste treatment can be managed and monitored. High Recirculation RAS works within a highly controlled water management system that prevents environmental contamination and prevents the intermixing of farmed salmon with local aquatic populations. Additionally, High Recirculation RAS facilities include very sophisticated filtration and denitrification systems that continuously filter and recycle 99% of the water being used. The limited effluent that does end up being produced is then sterilized before being discharged, and diffusers ensure it is fully diluted within a few meters of the discharge outlet. High Recirculation RAS ensures the maintenance of high-quality water for the salmon, reduces water demand for the facility, and eliminates the need for antibiotics and pesticides, all while maintaining rigorous standards that minimize any impact on the local environment.
Yes, a small portion of treated water will be returned to the river. Thanks to the high-recirculation land-based aquaculture process, Samonix will be able to treat and reuse approximately 99% of the water within its facility. Before discharge, the water will be treated, tempered, and sterilized in accordance with the requirements of the Quebec Ministry of the Environment. Dispersion studies indicate that dilution occurs rapidly after the discharge point and remains limited in the vicinity of the outfall. The goal of the model is to minimize both freshwater intake and discharges into the natural environment.
No. The salmon will be raised on land in tanks located inside a closed building, not in cages or enclosures in the river. This model eliminates the risk of escape and prevents any direct contact between farmed salmon and wild fish. Unlike open aquaculture systems, land-based aquaculture avoids risks related to escapes, parasites, and direct interactions with natural ecosystems.
Fish excrement, aquaculture sludge, processing waste, and uneaten feed will not be discharged into the river and will not be processed on the Samonix site. These materials will be collected, dewatered, and placed in sealed containers before being transported off-site by a specialized company to an existing organic waste recovery facility in Montérégie. The objective is to ensure controlled and safe management of these materials, with no release into the natural environment.
It is important to note that, today, almost all Atlantic salmon sold to North American consumers come from farms in order to protect the wild salmon populations from overfishing. Thus, the true debate is not between wild Atlantic salmon versus farmed Atlantic salmon; it’s about which system of aquaculture is the most sustainable and has the smallest environmental impact. The High Recirculation RAS technology used by Samonix guarantees a biosecure environment and high-quality water for the salmon being raised. Our salmon also benefits from optimal nutrition adapted to their needs. Raised without antibiotics, hormones, or pesticides and in optimal conditions, Samonix offers fresh Atlantic salmon of exceptional quality superior quality.
No. Samonix will not use either cloning or genetic modification. The project focuses on land-based Atlantic salmon aquaculture using a high-recirculation system (RAS), starting from eggs sourced from authorized suppliers in Iceland recognized by MAPAQ. The fish growth will be ensured through appropriate feeding, a controlled environment, and rigorous animal health monitoring.
No. Samonix will not use antibiotics. Fish health will be based first on prevention: water quality, controlled temperature, oxygenation, biosecurity, appropriate stocking densities, suitable feed, and daily monitoring by professional teams, including a veterinarian specialized in fish health. High-recirculation land-based aquaculture makes it possible to better control the farming environment and reduce disease risks compared to certain open or traditional systems. The goal remains to produce healthy salmon in a controlled environment, without the routine use of antibiotics.
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