“The growth of this [salmon farming] industry cannot come at the expense of wild salmon or the health of local marine environment.” – Minister Joyce Murray This June, ensure licenses in the Discovery Islands are not renewed. The Discovery Islands are a key migration route on the coast of BC. #endthepens and email your MP […]

“The Union of BC Indian Chiefs Chiefs Council is clear in stating their opposition to open net cage fish farms… The vast majority of BC First Nations are supportive of the Liberal Governments’ commitment to transition fish farms out of the ocean.” Help #endthepens. Email your MP today. Listen here.

Federal and Provincial Ministers hear from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs – “There was unanimous support for the protection of wild salmon and zero support for open net cage fish farms.” Help #endthepens. Email your MP today. Listen here.

As the clock ticks on 79 salmon farm licences in B.C. that expire this month, federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray came under intense pressure Friday at a meeting with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) to not renew them, and to do a better job of protecting First Nation rights to fish. Read more […]

Pressure on the minister not to renew [open net pen salmon farm] licenses due to mounting scientific evidence that diseases leaking from BC salmon farms are driving down wild salmon populations. Read more here.  

New study from Pacific Salmon Foundation shows pathogen exposure rates were 12X higher near open net pen salmon farms in the Discovery Islands.   “Any renewal of licences that prolong this risk to wild salmon would be deeply concerning.” – Dr. Andrew Bateman, PSF Read more here.

“The beginning is going to be revisiting the decision for the Discovery Islands. The recent exposure of the fallacy of peer reviewed science from [CSAS] showing that this is a very tilted unobjective process which the department stands on to issue Discovery Islands fish farm licenses. I anticipate that the Minister will not renew those […]

Sea lice are becoming more resistant to pesticides. Outbreaks on open net pen salmon farms make it possible for lice to move from farmed fish to wild fish. Young migrating wild salmon can be harmed or killed when heavily infested. Fisheries and Oceans Canada requires all fish farms in Canadian coastal waters to have a […]

The decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Islands was based on consultation with First Nations. “[Minister] Murray will make decisions on next steps in due course, and remains committed to transitioning away from open net-pen salmon farming in coastal B.C. waters”, said ministry spokesperson Kevin Lemkay. Read the full article here.

House of Commons Canada Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (FOPO) Meeting April 28th, 2022 Science at The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Watch full testimony here.  Read Opening Statements from Dr. Brian Riddell, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Science Advisor and Dr. Andrew Bateman, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Manager Salmon Ecological Health. On behalf of Dr Brian […]