Northern Divine Aquafarms was first in North America to develop an all-female Coho egg supply. Our monosex female eggs help your farm avoid costly losses due to early maturation, male aggression, and secondary sexual characteristics. Northern Divine’s Kitimat strain of Coho Salmon exhibits fast growth, reaching up to 5kg in two years under RAS conditions, and has proven successful in a variety of other grow out conditions including saltwater net pens, lake pens, and river pens.

The Coho Broodstock and eggs are grown on 10C well water from a protected aquifer, with stable pH. Northern Divine is a compartmentalized facility, recognized disease free by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Our fish, and your eggs are protected from a suite of reportable and non-reportable viruses and pathogens. 

We have access to chilled water to allow for flexible ATUs and input timing to your farm, and have the ability to produce eggs year round.

Desirable flesh from Coho salmon is bright pink to orange, firm, medium fatty, mild in flavor, and extremely versatile. 

Reasons for Purchasing Fertilized Fish Eggs

• Aquaculture: Fish farmers and hatcheries purchase fertilized eggs to produce fish for food consumption or to restock natural populations. This allows them to start with known genetics and control the early stages of the fish's life cycle.
• Aquariums: Aquarium hobbyists sometimes purchase fertilized eggs to raise the fish themselves, either for the challenge or to acquire uncommon species.
• Research: Scientists may use fertilized fish eggs for research on developmental biology, genetics, or the effect of various environmental factors on fish populations.

Where to Find Fertilized Fish Eggs

• Fish Farms and Hatcheries: This is the most common source. Look for suppliers specializing in the species you're interested in. Consider their husbandry practices and whether they have disease-free stocks.
• Online Retailers: Some online marketplaces specialize in live aquatic species, including fertilized eggs. Check reviews and seller reputation carefully.
• Specialty Aquarium Stores: Certain aquarium stores might have connections with specific breeders or wholesalers.

Important Considerations

• Species-Specific Requirements: Fish species have different egg incubation needs (water temperature, oxygenation, etc.). Research the ideal conditions before purchasing.
• Regulations: Be aware of regulations in your area for raising specific fish species, particularly non-native ones. Potential risks to local ecosystems need to be considered.
• Ethical Sourcing: Choose sellers focused on sustainability. Prioritize fish species that are not threatened or endangered.
• Commitment: Raising fish from eggs requires substantial knowledge, preparation, and the right equipment to ensure proper hatching and development. Don't enter into this lightly.

Examples of Popular Fish Eggs in Aquaculture

• Trout: Rainbow trout, brown trout, etc.
• Salmon: Atlantic salmon, Coho salmon, etc.
• Tilapia
• Catfish

Benefits of Farming Coho Salmon

• Meeting Demand: Coho salmon is a popular and nutritious fish. Farming meets the growing global demand for seafood when wild fisheries cannot sustain the supply.
• Year-Round Availability: Unlike wild Coho, which have restricted fishing seasons, farmed Coho ensures consistent availability for consumers throughout the year.
• Controlled Environment: Farming offers better control over factors like water quality, feed, and disease management, potentially producing healthier fish and more reliable product consistency.
• Job Creation and Economic Support: Salmon farms create jobs, especially in coastal and rural communities, boosting local economies.
• Environmental Benefits (Potential): With good practices, farmed Coho can take pressure off wild Coho populations, allowing them to recover. There's also potential for integrating salmon farming with other aquatic species to create self-sustaining eco-systems.

Important Considerations for Sustainability:

• Feed Sustainability: Choosing feed sources that don't rely on overfished species is crucial. Innovations in plant-based and insect-based feeds are promising.
• Waste Management: Salmon farms must have stringent waste management plans to minimize the pollution of surrounding waters.
• Disease Prevention & Management: Responsible disease control minimizes the potential for outbreaks transferring to wild salmon populations.
• Escapes: Farms must prevent farmed fish from escaping to minimize genetic interference with wild salmon and to avoid spreading pathogens.
• Ethical Practices: Prioritize farms working towards high animal welfare standards, minimizing overcrowding, and using sustainable methods.

Choosing Sustainable Coho:

Consumers can play a role in driving sustainable salmon farming:

• Certifications: Look for eco-labels like ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) or BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices), which hold farms accountable to stricter environmental standards.
• Traceability: Choose salmon products with transparency on the source of the fish and how it was farmed.
• Support Forward-Thinking Businesses: Companies are investing in innovation, like land-based salmon farming or offshore techniques, to address common environmental concerns.

Overall: Coho salmon farming has the potential to meet an important global need for protein sustainably. However, prioritizing environmentally responsible practices, transparency, and innovation is crucial.