The Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

By Liam Verster

Open Net Atlantic Salmon Farms

Local MP opposed to closing salmon farms off B.C. coast

Feb 23, 2023 | 11:24 AM

The Member of Parliament for the North Okanagan-Shuswap and Associate Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard is voicing opposition against the closing of open net-pen salmon farms off B.C.’s coast.

On Feb. 17, 2023, Joyce Murray, the minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that 15 open net-pen salmon farms in the Discovery Islands would not have their licenses renewed.

The federal minister stated the Cohen Commission, a task force created in 2009 to investigate the decline of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River, has said the farms used to raise Atlantic salmon are located in narrow passages that juvenile Pacific salmon migrate through. During that migration the native salmon are at risk of coming in contact with the farmed fish and contracting diseases or parasites that can have potentially severe consequences on an already dwindling population.

“Recent science indicates that there is uncertainty with respect to the risks posed by Atlantic salmon aquaculture farms to wild Pacific salmon in the Discovery Islands area, as well as to the cumulative effect of any farm-related impacts on this iconic species,” stated the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in a press release.

“There are multiple stressors on wild salmon, including: climate change; habitat degradation and destruction; regulated fishing as well as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Given the state of wild Pacific salmon, the Government of Canada is taking a highly precautionary approach to manage Atlantic salmon aquaculture in the Discovery Islands area.”

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In response to the announcement, Mel Arnold released a statement Thursday, Feb. 23, criticizing the decision and stating the minister must make conservation and management decisions based on sound science.

“Although the Minister of Fisheries and Ocean’s mandate letter directs her to take action to build a brighter future through the use of science and evidence-based decision-making, she has issued another decision without providing the science or evidence that she based her decision on, and without a plan being in place to support affected workers and communities,” stated Arnold in the release.

“This decision extends a troubling pattern of Trudeau government announcements including the 2019 campaign promise to transition Pacific salmon farms and the first Discovery Islands decision in 2020- both of which were delivered without science reasons or a support plan for affected British Columbians and communities.”

The federal government held consultations with the operators of the salmon farms that included bilateral and agreement meetings between June 2022 and December 2023.

The government added it “remains committed to developing a responsible plan to transition from open-net pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbian waters to ensure sustainable next-generation aquaculture in Canada.”

Ruth Salmon, Interim Executive Director for the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA), stated in a release that she met with Murray in October and discussed the operations and developing a partnership to transition from open net-pen farms.

“Salmon farming is continuously evolving, improving, and innovating, which can come as a surprise to those outside of the farming community. It was a pleasure to meet with the Minister and her team to not only discuss these improvements but showcase them, as she visited several farm sites and a hatchery,” said Salmon in October.

“It was heartening to hear that the minister is seeking to work with us to support the development of the Transition Framework. In order to successfully drive further innovation and technology adoption, there needs to be flexibility to allow for various pathways. The ecosystems in which we operate, as well as the priorities of the Nations in whose territories we operate are diverse. We need to have a full suite of tools and options available to ensure we are meeting the expectations of the Nations, protecting wild salmon populations, and providing healthy and sustainable meals.”

Salmon did state there were some concerns with the rushed timeline, but does look forward to working with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in the transition, adding it is critical to include local First Nations in that process.