Aquaculture Centre of Excellence

Sterile Grass Carp Program

The Aquaculture Centre at Lethbridge College, in operation since 1997, is the only production facility of grass carp in Canada. As partners with the Alberta Aquaculture Association the facility acts as the producer of sterile grass carp with the fish farmer as the distributor. Sterile grass carp are stocked into water bodies and act as a long term form of biological vegetation control. The fish, available for stocking in May and June each year, have been thoroughly disease screened and tested and are guaranteed triploid (sterile). For more information about the sterile grass carp program, or how to get grass carp to stock into your water body click on the links.

Grass Carp Links:

 Aquaponics

As part of an add-on to an intensive recirculation aquaculture operation, the aquaponics operations at the Aquaculture Centre of Excellence began in 2002. The seeding of plants begins in March for the production of a select variety of vegetables, herbs and water plants which all utilize the nutrients available in the water supply as provided by our fish. Since the water used by the plants is recirculated back to our fish facility for reuse, we only utilize biocontrol as a means of pest management, no herbicides and pesticides are used. All aquaponics produce is for sale and harvested twice weekly starting around May until the end of October. See our aquaponics section for more information on produce, pricing and availability.

 Research

The Aquaculture Centre of Excellence conducts research primarily dealing in the aquatic realm, particularly aquaculture, aquatic ecosystem health, water quality and fish disease. With our biosecure isolation facilities, water recirculation technologies, green house operations, and our water quality testing and molecular lab capabilities the Aquaculture Centre provides a solid base to conduct a wide variety of aquatic based research. We have partnered with many private, government and non profit organizations. To see how we can better serve your organization through research, or to view our present and past research projects click on the research tab, or contact our Research Head.