Developing new techniques for the evolution of aquaculture-based seafood is the goal of the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) program based out of the St. Andrews Biological Station and the University of New Brunswick in Saint John.
Under the leadership of Drs. Shawn Robinson (DFO) and Thierry Chopin (UNBSJ), the program team promotes the practice in which the by-products (wastes) from one species are recycled to become inputs (fertilizers, food) for another so that the entire operation becomes more socially acceptable, economically profitable and environmentally benign.
The concept revolves around fed aquaculture (e.g. fish, shrimp) being combined with inorganic extractive (e.g. seaweed) and organic extractive (e.g. shellfish, deposit feeders) aquaculture to create balanced systems.
The research has been ongoing in the Bay of Fundy with the salmon industry for 9 years.