Dozens of fish farms outside the Discovery Islands will have their licences renewed for another two years as Ottawa reveals its transition plan away from open-net pen salmon farming in B.C. Learn more here.

“Canada’s minister in charge of fisheries and oceans has temporarily renewed dozens of fish farm licences in B.C., while strengthening reporting requirements to contain pathogens harmful to wild fish.” Read the full BIV piece here.

“Renewed fish farm licences will be subjected to stricter rules, said DFO, including new standardized reporting requirements, sea lice management plans, as well as wild salmon monitoring” as the federal government develops the transition plan to remove open net pen salmon farms from BC waters. Read the full Global News article here.

Click here to listen to Ryan speaking with Bob Chamberlin, Chair of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance, about today’s statement from Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the phase out plan for open net pen salmon farms in BC.

“Sea lice levels of 11.53 lice per fish — almost four times the federal threshold for treatment — were also detected during a March 7 count at Cermaq’s Ross Pass farm, according to a separate email from an aquatic biologist with the federal department. “Young salmon are streaming past these farms continuously,” said Alexandra Morton, […]

From the latest National News Watch article: “DFO asked one of its ecologists to estimate the source of the lice. He concluded that the lice were coming from the salmon farms. He was never heard from again. Since then, DFO hasn’t let any of its ecologists near the salmon farming issues.” This June, ensure licenses […]

“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 […]