Using fish as a component in aquaponic cannabis cultivation is nothing new, as we’ve seen from producers such as Ontario’s Green Relief.

But one licensed producer is touting itself as the very first aquaponic cannabis cultivator to use coho salmon as is fish of choice.

Pictured above, a Coho Salmon Poke Bowl. B.C.-based Habitat Craft Cannabis Ltd. is touting itself as the very first aquaponic cannabis cultivator to use coho salmon as is fish of choice. Photo provided

B.C.-based Habitat Craft Cannabis Ltd. has recently been granted a micro-cultivation licence from federal regulators. The Chase-based company will farm both weed and salmon in its aquaponic facility.

While other producers tend to use species of fish such as tilapia, the coho salmon is a departure from the previously established norm.

Coho salmon, otherwise known as silver salmon, is a cold-water fish that is native to the North Pacific ocean and has also been naturalized to the Great Lakes of Ontario. The species is smaller than the better-known Chinook salmon, with a slim body, silver sides, and blue or green back.

These fish are known for being hard to catch, but also highly adaptable to a variety of environments and growing extremely quickly, making them a good candidate for hydroponic cultivation.

“We are the first aquaponic cannabis cultivators to use coho salmon. This gives us a unique opportunity to compete in two exciting and emerging industries; craft cannabis and inland salmon production,” Habitat Craft co-founder and CEO Rudi Schiebel told Greenhouse Canada.

Both the cannabis and salmon produced by the company will be certified organic.

“Organic certification gives the consumer the assurance that the product is produced without potentially harmful inputs: no synthetic pesticides, no synthetic nutrients, no GMOs, no antibiotics, no added hormones,” Justin Henry, director of aquaculture for Habitat Craft Cannabis, said in a press release. “The goal of organic production is to develop operations that are sustainable and are based on living ecological systems. Habitat is the quintessential example of that,” Henry said.

Coho is smaller than the better-known Chinook salmon. / Photo: Supercaliphotolistic / iStock / Getty Images Plus Supercaliphotolistic / iStock / Getty Images Plus

The producer, which is in possession of a proprietary aquaponic system, is focused on cultivation methods that promote regenerative agriculture and sustainable protein while being environmentally friendly. The system recycles 99 per cent of its water and 100 per cent of its waste.

“As long-time cultivators, we are excited to announce the official commencement of commercial cannabis operations at our facility in Chase, B.C.,” Schiebel said in a statement.

“In addition to now being certified organic, our team has spent years procuring and breeding proprietary genetics, and we collectively believe that these first two strains that we are introducing will be well-received by consumers. We have worked tirelessly to bring our high-quality cannabis to the commercial market and we believe this will set a new standard in cannabis produced under The Cannabis Act.”