Open-net pen salmon farms along BC’s coast have been given five years to transition out of the water to land-based systems. The Kuterra land-based farm near Port McNeill, BC, was opened in 2013 by the ‘Namgis First Nation. Its success has proven that this technology can work in BC. “I absolutely believe it’s the way […]

Canada is taking an important step towards the protection of wild Pacific salmon populations by banning ocean-polluting salmon farms in coastal BC waters. This decision comes in response to growing global concerns about the negative impact of salmon farming on wild salmon populations. In BC, open-net pen salmon farms release parasites, pathogens and pollutants threatening […]

On June 19, 2024, the federal government announced an official ban on open-net pen salmon farms in BC, with a transition deadline by 2029, to protect wild Pacific salmon populations. Experts say wild salmon species are under imminent threat from salmon farming, which has led to escapes (including sick fish), a dramatic rise in sea […]

Wild salmon returns continue to strengthen after the removal of ocean-polluting Atlantic salmon farms in the Broughton Archipelago. In 2018, the provincial government signed an agreement with the ‘Namgis, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis, and Mamalilikulla First Nations—known as the Broughton Archipelago Transition Initiative (BATI)—to shut down salmon farms in their territories to protect wild Pacific salmon. Just […]

BC is the last place on North America’s west coast with ocean-polluting Atlantic salmon farms, often located directly along the migration routes of wild Pacific salmon. Open-net pen salmon farms exploit the marine environment and coastal ecosystem services, causing uneaten fish feed and waste to accumulate on the seabed, while facilitating the spread of diseases […]

With its recent announcement to “ban open-net pen salmon farms by 2029”, the federal government promised new restrictions on the amount of allowable levels of sea lice in farmed salmon. However, measures under the new licensing agreements, which will last until the end of this decade, are still insufficient in strengthening conditions to protect wild […]

The federal government has officially announced a ban on open-net pen salmon farms in BC with a deadline to transition by 2029. Over 120 First Nations from across BC and 75% of British Columbians support the removal of ocean-polluting Atlantic salmon farms from BC waters to protect wild Pacific salmon for future generations. Two Federal […]

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day and the recent announcement made by the federal government on the closure of open-net salmon farms in BC by 2029, dozens of ‘Namgis First Nations gathered together at the BC Museum in Victoria. “We’ve been connected to the salmon since our time immemorial. As we all know, it’s […]

The federal government has announced a ban on open-net pen salmon farming in BC waters, with a deadline for operations to cease within five years. “Facilities will be expected to make restocking and harvesting decisions that are consistent with the requirement to fully terminate all open-net pen farming by June 30, 2029,” says Jonathan Wilkinson, […]

The federal government is officially banning open-net pen salmon farms in BC waters to protect wild Pacific salmon. The ban fulfills a campaign promise made in 2019 to end the practice of ocean-polluting Atlantic salmon farming in coastal BC waters. Watch Global News video clip here.