The battle to have 18 open-net fish farms removed from a critical salmon migration route is heading for more consultation after Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced they present little risk to wild Fraser River salmon stocks, which are in serious decline.
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Bernadette Jordan says her department will be consulting with seven First Nations communities Tla’amin, Klahoose, Homalco, K’ómoks, We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge), Wei Wai Kum (Campbell River) and Kwiakah that border the narrow channels through the Discovery Islands where the farms are located, with a goal of deciding whether or not to renew their aquaculture licences prior to a December 2020 deadline.
“The government is committed to an area-based management approach to aquaculture,” Jordan told CBC, “and particularly these farms may not be the best fit for the location for the adjacent First Nations communities.”
Last week a consortium of 101 B.C. First Nations including five of the seven named Monday along with commercial and sport fishing groups and eco tourism operators teamed up to demand the removal of the 18 fish farms.
The group maintains they are responsible for spreading sea lice and other pathogens to out-migrating juvenile wild salmon, contributing to the sharp decline of Fraser River salmon stocks.