Federal government decision expected in BC fish farms controversy

OTTAWA — The federal government is expected to announce the way forward for fish farms along the British Columbia coast.

Ocean pen aquaculture operations have been a flashpoint between First Nations, industry, wild salmon advocates and environmentalists for several years.

Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier will make the announcement in Ottawa this afternoon, while Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson will make the same announcement in Vancouver.

Lebouthillier consulted with indigenous leaders, industry stakeholders and coastal communities on the government’s transition plan involving 79 salmon farms after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged during the 2019 election that his government would eliminate gradually ocean farms.

The BC Salmon Farmers Association said an economic analysis concluded the province could lose about 4,700 jobs and more than $1 billion in annual economic activity if fish farm licenses are not renewed.

Former Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray announced in 2023 that the government would not renew licenses for 15 Atlantic salmon farms off the Discovery Islands in northwest Vancouver Island, a major migration route for wild salmon.

Murray said at the time that wild salmon faced several threats, including climate change, habitat degradation and overfishing, and the decision was intended to reduce challenges for wild salmon swimming past farms.

Opponents worry that open-net salmon farms can spread disease or lice to wild fish, while proponents say the risks are low.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 19, 2024.

The Canadian Press