The federal government has officially announced a ban on open-net pen salmon farms in BC with a deadline to transition by 2029.
Your continued support will help ensure this decision is implemented. It's time to get salmon farms out of BC waters permanently.
The majority of British Columbians, 120+ First Nations, commercial and recreational fishers, unions, and tourism operators across BC support the removal of ocean-polluting salmon farms from BC waters.
Over 50 Canadian and international studies document the harm of open-net pen Atlantic salmon farms to wild Pacific salmon.
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Open-net pen salmon farms threaten the survival of wild Pacific salmon
86% of British Columbians are concerned about declining wild salmon stocks. 75% of British Columbians support transition away from open-net salmon salmon farms. (Insights West poll, July 2021)
For over 30 years, open net pen fish farms have been releasing parasites, pathogens & pollutants directly into wild Pacific salmon migration routes—with deadly consequences. Where open-net pen salmon farms have been removed, wild Pacific salmon are seeing positive impacts.
Removing fish farms works. “It is the third summer since Atlantic salmon farms were removed from the Discovery Islands, and the results continue to be striking. Young wild salmon smolts are flooding north through a fish-farm-free Okisollo Channel without being exposed to farm pathogens and sea lice and they are looking beautiful and healthy!” Farlyn Campbell and Jody Eriksson have been sampling juvenile salmon in the Discovery Islands for the past few months. It’s time to transition all open-net pen salmon farms out of BC waters and safeguard wild Pacific salmon for future generations.
Hear from Robert Chamberlin, Chair of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, on the importance of wild Pacific salmon to First Nations food security, culture and traditions. “90% of BC First Nations rely upon wild salmon. Wild salmon is far more than a menu choice, it is the foundation for culture, traditions and of course a staple traditional food and its becoming near impossible to obtain for these purposes.”
New research from UBC, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Genome BC and Pacific Salmon Foundation confirms that farmed Atlantic salmon are the source of PRV (piscine orthoreovirus) in BC waters.
Dr. Kristi Miller-Saunders (DFO scientist) on the devastating impact of Tenacibaculum on wild Pacific salmon.
Wild First Voices
Dr. Chief Robert Joseph
Ambassador, Reconciliation Canada
“The salmon are so iconic for us. They’re the very essence of who we are,” says Dr. Chief Robert Joseph about our shared responsibility to protect wild Pacific salmon.
First Nations leaders
First Nations across BC
Wild Pacific salmon are integral to Indigenous culture, traditions and livelihoods. Hear from First Nations leaders across BC on why we must protect this essential species.
Rick Hansen
Founder, Rick Hansen Foundation
Rick Hansen, founder of Rick Hansen Foundation, on the urgent need to work together to protect wild Pacific salmon. Join the movement and sign the Wild First Pledge.
Chief Darren Blaney
Campbell River
The impact of BC open-net pen salmon farms is evident in the Fraser River, where wild Pacific salmon stocks are at historic lows. Chief Darren Blaney, Homalco First Nation.
Karen Wristen
Executive Director, Living Oceans Society
Karen Wristen, Executive Director, Living Oceans Society, on the critical need to protect wild Pacific salmon and their importance to the entire West Coast ecosystem.
Dan Billy
Cape Mudge
An elder of the We Wai Kai Nation, Dan Billy supports transitioning away from open net-pen fish farms and is speaking up for the recovery of wild Pacific salmon for all people, for generations to come.
The way forward
The federal government has mandated that it will work with the province and Indigenous communities to create “a responsible plan to transition from open net pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025.”
But open net pen fish farmers are resisting this mandate. Meanwhile, these fish farms continue to spread parasites and diseases into BC waters, with devastating consequences for communities and ecosystems across the province.
Years in the making
The transition away from open net pen fish farms has been years in the making.
The effects of open net pen fish farms on wild Pacific salmon have been well researched and documented for decades. Open net pen fish farm companies have had extensive notice that a transition to modern sustainable aquaculture, through land-based closed containment, was coming.
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