Category Archives: Rivers & Oceans

The DFO responds to questions about minimal risk

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) announcement unleashed a torrent of protests from First Nations leaders and environmentalists. How could “nine peer-reviewed, scientific risk assessments” find that salmon farms pose a ‘minimal risk’ to migrating Fraser River sockeye salmon? Two questions from Cortes Currents were amidst the deluge of correspondence they took in. It has taken more than a week, but the DFO finally responded to my questions about minimal risk.

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Disputing DFO’s finding that Salmon farms pose little risk

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Opponents of open-net salmon farms are disputing this week’s finding by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) that farms in Discovery Island waters pose little risk to wild salmon.

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Opposed to fish farming in the Discovery Islands

the Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For years Homalco First Nation Chief Darren Blaney has been opposed to fish farming in the Discovery Islands, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, where his community is based.

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Get Fish Farms out of the Discovery Islands

Editors note: The following article contains a number of disturbing statements for which no supporting evidence, or links, have been provided, as well as some equally disturbing statements confirmed by a quick google search.

September 30, 2020 is the last day, in this round, to contact the Federal Government to act on their promise to Get Fish Farms out of the Discovery Islands waters. The 12 million dollar, year long Cohen Commission recommended their removal 8 years ago.

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First Nations wary of DFO’s proposed consultation process

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Studies show that contentious fish farms in the Discovery Islands pose little risk to wild salmon, therefore they will not face immediate closure, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) said Monday.

Nonetheless, a final decision on the fate of 18 open-net pen operations in the region will be delayed pending consultation with seven area First Nations about whether to renew the region’s fish farm licences, which are set to expire in December.

Talks will begin immediately with the Holmalco, Klahoose, K’omoks, Kwiakah, Tla’amin, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations, DFO said.

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