16 Jun
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Wild First applauds Minister Jordan’s important decision not to allow restocking of fish farms in the Discovery Islands

Wild First congratulates Minister Jordan, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for her decision not to allow restocking of fish farms in the Discovery Islands, and for her decision not to extend Cermaq’s current license in the Discovery Islands area beyond June 2022.

Thank you Minister Jordan, for listening to First Nations and the vast majority of British Columbians, including the Union of BC Municipalities, commercial and recreational fishers, tourism operators, chefs and community based salmon stewards – all dedicated to putting wild Pacific salmon first. Along with the vast majority of BC First Nations, we support the government’s mandate to transition open net pen fish farms from BC waters by 2025, and the step by step transition plan.

Wild Pacific salmon face historic low returns. Protection, restoration and recovery of wild Pacific salmon demands that we do all we can to remove anything that threatens their survival. Peer reviewed science continues to support that parasites, pathogens and pollutants from open net pen fish farms directly threaten wild Pacific salmon. Healthy wild Pacific salmon stocks are essential for people, communities, food security for First Nations, coastal economies and the jobs and industries that depend on wild salmon.

In the statement from Rebecca Reid, Regional Director General, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region, she notes that a number of the First Nations who were consulted, continue to oppose salmon aquaculture in this area “notably for reasons related to the conservation and protection of wild salmon stocks and for social and cultural reasons.” We salute First Nations leadership in asserting their values and their rights.

Read the press release from Homalco First Nation.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Shalina Kajani
(604) 801-5477/(604) 377-7097
[email protected]