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.
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.
FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
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