Tag Archives: Millar Channel Farm

Ministry of Fisheries tours West Coast fish farming areas

“Last week, the Minister of Fisheries, Joyce Murray, went on the road and she traveled the length of Vancouver Island talking to people, First Nations environmental organizations, scientists, about the transition of salmon farms in British Columbia. This is incredible. I’ve never seen a minister go on the road before, and I have so much respect for her for doing this,” said independent biologist Alexandra Morton.

A BC Salmon Farmers Association spokesperson emailed a list of facilities Murray visited:

  • Cermaq Canada’s Millar Channel farm and semi-closed containment site in Clayoquot Sound. 
  • One of Creative Salmon’s Chinook farms and their processing plant in Tofino. 
  • MOWI’s Shelter Pass farm in Port Hardy and their Big Tree Creek Hatchery in Sayward. 
Continue reading Ministry of Fisheries tours West Coast fish farming areas

Ottawa is scaling back its promise to phase out open net-pen salmon farms, critics say

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Environmental groups worry Ottawa is backtracking on its commitment to phase out open net-pen salmon farming in B.C. waters after approving expansions to three operations off the west coast of Vancouver Island. 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has permitted Cermaq Canada to significantly increase the volume of Atlantic salmon produced at three farm sites in Clayoquot Sound, said Bonny Glambeck, campaigns director for Clayoquot Action. 

Continue reading Ottawa is scaling back its promise to phase out open net-pen salmon farms, critics say

What role will semi closed containment system fish farms have after 2025?

(Part 2 of 2, click here for Part 1)

The fish farm industry does not want to leave British Columbia’s coastal waters in 2025. 

In a recent press release Andreas Kvame, CEO of Grieg Seafood, said, “Our industry is in continuous development with new technologies and innovations, and in Grieg Seafood we are committed to improvements that strengthen biological control and reduce interactions with wild salmon.” 

David Kemiele, Managing Director of Cermaq emailed Cortes Currents, “Our new protocol extends to the end of 2025 and we are using that time to refine what our operations will look like moving forward beyond 2025 and definitely innovation plays a critical role in that plan.”

Continue reading What role will semi closed containment system fish farms have after 2025?

DFO approves three fish farm expansions in Clayoquot Sound

(Part 1 of 2, click here for Part 2)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is in the midst of consultations about the immediate future of fish farms in the Discovery Islands and transitioning the open net pen industry out of coastal British Columbian waters by 2025. But DFO approved the expansion of Cermaq Canada’s farms at Bawden PointMillar Channel and Dixon Bay in Clayoquot Sound.

Continue reading DFO approves three fish farm expansions in Clayoquot Sound

Potential elimination of open-net salmon farm sector in sight

The licenses for all 19 salmon farms in the Discovery Islands expire in June. There will only be 7 farms left in the Broughton Archipelago by 2023, at which point their tenure ends unless they can obtain First Nations approval and Department of Fisheries licences. That leaves an estimated 79 salmon farms throughout the province, and all of their licenses come up for renewal on June 30, 2022.

Continue reading Potential elimination of open-net salmon farm sector in sight