“I’m extremely upset that these fish farms are still even here despite our efforts to be rid of them. We are always force-fed these decisions to keep fish farms in our territory, but we’re not going to tolerate that anymore,” said Haa’wilth Kla-kwa-skum Jordan Michael from the Nuchatlaht Nation.

The recent diesel spill from Grieg Seafood’s salmon farm in Esperanza Inlet has profoundly impacted the local ecosystem and continues to disrupt First Nations territories and practices. This environmental disaster has drawn attention from yet another First Nation, the Nuchatlaht Nation, who have joined others in condemning the risks posed by open-net salmon farms.

Located near Lutes Creek, the spill has polluted a pristine, rugged coastline, complicating cleanup efforts. Judae Smith, a Nuchatlaht Guardian and Fisheries Technician, shared their concerns: “I fish out here regularly and I’m now afraid to eat anything by the looks of things. It’s hard to imagine how anyone could ever clean up this kind of toxic damage. It permeates everything, and so much damage has already been done.”

Beyond fish, the spill threatens a wide range of species, including marbled murrelets, sea ducks, sea otters, Steller sea lions, and humpback whales. “Because of our belief is hishuk’ish tsawalk (everything is one), it impacts everything.”  said Hi-sha-mah-nulth Archie Little, Nuchatlaht Haa’wilth House Speaker.

Roger Dunlop, Nuchatlaht Lands and Resources Manager, described the contamination: “The diesel has gotten into the rocks and sediments around Steamer Point. Yesterday at high tide, diesel was coming out of the rocks into an area busy with wildlife.”

This spill serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of open-net pen aquaculture, intensifying calls from First Nations and environmental advocates to transition away from these unsustainable practices.

Photo Credit: Nuchatlaht First Nation & Tavish Campbell

Read the full article by Living Oceans here.