Why doesn t the Census of Agriculture collect statistics on aquaculture?
Although aquaculture is considered part of the agriculture industry, it was not included in the 2001 Census of Agriculture. Most fish farming takes place on operations unrelated to traditional farming. The industry is defined as those establishments primarily engaged in raising finfish, shellfish, or any other kind of aquatic animal on farms. Collecting aquaculture data on the Census of Agriculture would provide very incomplete information. A Statistics Canada survey of the aquaculture industry that began in 1997 provides data mostly on revenues and expenses on a calendar-year basis. More information about aquaculture statistics can be found on the main Statistics Canada Web site. You can also access free tables about aquaculture by clicking on the blue Canadian Statistics button on the Statistics Canada Web site and searching under “Primary industries\ Fishing and trapping”.
