Recently, the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) voiced their ongoing support for Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Bernadette Jordan and the Government of Canada’s recent decision to remove all open-net pen fish farms from the Discovery Islands effective June 30^th 2022.

In response to a court challenge launched by three major open-net pen salmon farmers seeking to overturn the Discovery Islands decision, the FNLC stated: “the majority of First Nations in BC oppose open net pen fish farming due to the detrimental effects it has on wild salmon: the 102 First Nations that support the removal of fish farms from the ocean are supportive of Minister Jordan’s decision”. You can read the full statement here.

While the Discovery Islands decision must be upheld, now is also time that the Government of Canada and Province of British Columbia consult First Nations governments, local governments, conservation organizations and industry on a transition plan to land-based closed-containment aquaculture, including a just transition for affected workers.

To learn more about what a sustainable future for Wild Pacific Salmon can look like, visit wildfirst.ca/transition.