Editor’s note: On June 7, Judge Paul Favel supported the Ministry of Fisheries decision to not renew the licenses of 15 fish farms in the Discovery Islands, and denied a joint application by industry and the Laich-kwil-tach Nation. The seven fish farm sites within traditional territories of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, We Wai Kai Nation and Kwiakah First Nations (collectively known as the Laich-kwil-tach Nation) and the fish farm at Raza Island, off the northern tip of Cortes Island, remain closed. 

The Government of Canada issued five year licenses to the fish farms still operating in British Columbia, and announced it will ban open net-pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia coastal waters by June 30, 2029.

“After July 1, 2024, only marine or land-based closed containment systems will be considered for salmon aquaculture licences. The Government of Canada recognizes that such systems are likely to come with increased investment costs. Incentivizing the transition to such systems is desirable given the need to promote wild fish health, reconciliation with coastal First Nations, economic development in rural and coastal communities, food security, and other important public outcomes. As such, the Minister intends to issue nine-year licences to successful applicants applying for closed-containment production.”

Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, issued a press release, stating, “This focus on unproven technology jeopardizes the sector’s ability to fulfill agreements with rights-holder First Nations and will cause further harm to our communities.”

His organization called the government time-line ‘unrealistic’ and stated it ‘undermines the federal government’s commitment to science-based decision-making.’  

Some of the scientists, First Nations and environmental organizations either expressing concerns, or actively opposing open net pen fish farming, will undoubtedly issue statements during the days that follow.

Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship for British Columbia, immediately responded on behalf of the provincial government:

“The federal government needs to work directly with impacted communities and workers on next steps, and they must make sure First Nations have a direct role in determining what the transition looks like in their territories.

“As part of this transition, the federal government must deliver funding to sustain a strong industry, including significant funding for technology and infrastructure for closed containment fish farms.”

The small group of First Nations supporting the open net pen aquaculture sector held a press conference at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. Their spokesperson, Dallas Smith, told reporters:  

 “My name is Dallas Smith. I’m the Acting Chief of the Tlowitsis Nation and spokesperson for the coalition of First Nations for Fin Fish Stewardship.  We want to give thanks to the Musqueam Nation for giving us safe passage on their territory today as we come to talk about the business that affects our territories.” 

“We’ve gathered here to give a response to the announcement made by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, a short while ago, around the future of Atlantic Salmon farming within our territories.  There’s 5, 000 people who depend on employment from this sector right now. Over the last two years, we’ve worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on transition plans to take into consideration the concerns that we’ve heard from general public, from our communities, and others as we go forward to transition this sector that’s helped us find a place in the development of the blue economy.” 

“With those 5000 jobs that exist in British Columbia in this sector, 500 of them are directly employed in remote First Nations communities.  As we’re all aware, a high paying job, a family supporting job in a First Nations community is like four jobs anywhere else.  With the unemployment that we face in our communities, with the downturn of Pacific Salmon, with the forest resources being managed the way that they are., we need to continue to find a way to economically support our people while building a sustainable path forward.” 

“I think another point that’s important to mention is the Chiefs who have joined me today come from territories that have protected 30 to 60 percent of their traditional territories through the Great Barrier Rainforest and agreements like we saw yesterday with the Ahousaht and Tla-o-qui-aht  people.” 

“This is different than activists pointing out a problem that they want to see fixed. This is about the governance of communities and a way of life continuing to go forward.  So we’re a little bit concerned to work with the Government of Canada, for the last two years,  on a transition plan on a path forward and to hear today about the shelf life that they’re looking at for this sector that supports our communities.” 

“Today I have joined with me: Chief Terry Walkus, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations; Deputy Chief Isaiah Robinson, Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation; Hereditary Chief Hasheukumiss, Richard George, Ahousaht Nation Tyee Haw’il; Chief Simon John, Ehattesaht/Chinehkint First Nation; Hereditary Chief Muu-haht Ollie Charlie, Ahousaht Nation; Hereditary Chief Paddy Walkus, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations; Hereditary Chief Harvey Robinson, Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation; Eddie Walkus, Councillor, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations; Cyrus Singh, CEO, K’awat’si Economic Development Corp.”

Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, promised to establish an interdepartmental task force with expertise in reconciliation, economic and community development, and aquaculture management to lead consultations on a draft transition plan. This will be released by July 31 and details: 

• how to support First Nations, workers, and communities in this transition
• identifying economic supports for the use of innovative and clean aquaculture technology
• milestones, principles, and criteria for the phase down of salmon open net-pen aquaculture over the five-year licence period
• management of open net-pen salmon aquaculture until the ban is fully implemented

Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, proclaimed, “In 2019, we committed to developing a responsible plan to transition from open-net pen salmon farming to closed containment technologies, in order to protect and support our crucially important wild Pacific salmon and create a vibrant marine ecosystem and sustainable industries for generations to come. Today, we are delivering on that promise and taking an important step in Canada’s path towards salmon and environmental conservation, sustainable aquaculture production, and clean technology. We recognize the importance of meaningful and thoughtful engagement with First Nations partners and communities as we move forward, in order to ensure that economic impacts are mitigated and we incentivize and promote wild fish health, reconciliation, economic development, and food security as we move forwards.”

Links of Interest

• Protecting wild Pacific salmon: the transition from open net-pen salmon aquaculture to closed containment systems in British Columbia coastal waters – Gov of Canada
• The Uncertain future of Salmon Farms in British Columbia – Cortes Currents
• The First Nations calling for a renewal of fish farm licenses – Cortes Currents

Top image credit: Aerial view of Cermaq’s Millar Channel Farm in 2022. The square pens use an open net pen system. The circular pen is Cermaq’s semi-closed containment system. Photo by Sam Chen, courtesy Cermaq Canada

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