National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A coalition of industry stakeholders and Vancouver Island mayors wants Ottawa to outline how it plans to address the potential impacts of its decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Islands.
Continue reading How will the Feds help communities depending on fish farms?the Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The night that Chief Darren Blaney of Homalco First Nation found out that fish farms would be phased out in his traditional territories, he celebrated over dinner with his wife.
Continue reading Fish farms phased out in Discovery Islands: Chief Darren Blaney & Alexandra MortonThis program was funded by a grant from the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative.
Today we hear a first-hand account of a concerning hunting episode on October 24 in Smelt Bay, Cortes Island. We’ll hear from Conservation Officer Brad Adams, a local authority on the laws around hunting. And then we’ll take a deeper dive with Sabina Leader Mense into some ecological considerations of hunting around Cortes.
Continue reading Cortes Island Goose Hunt Frightens Resident, Excites Ecologist and Could Be LawfulBy Quinn Bender, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chief Darren Blaney expects the worst for a generation of coho and chum salmon mowed down in the Southgate River by a massive landslide last month on B.C.’s south-central coast.
Continue reading Bute Landslide: The next generation of coho and chum salmonThe licenses for 19 salmon farms in the Discovery lslands expired today. Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is reissuing licenses for 18 months, during which time “no new fish of any size may be introduced into Discovery Islands.” “Fish at the sites can complete their growth-cycle and be harvested,” but “all farms be free of fish by June 30th, 2022.”
The Minister added, “The federal government will continue working collaboratively with partners on the responsible transition from open-net pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025.”
Continue reading Closing down the Discovery Islands Salmon Farms
