Salish Sea Salmon Net Pen Ban Decision in B.C.?

B.C. First Nations and Conservationists to B.C. Premier:

No Salmon Net Pen Lease Renewal

British Columbia First Nations led the effort to stop salmon net pen operations in their territories to protect the wild salmon in the Salish Sea. OFCO joined Our Sound, Our Salmon coalition members to sign on to a letter requesting that B.C. Premier Hogan not renew the 20 leases that were due to expire in B.C.

Noted scientist Alexandra Morton’s take on the decision: Ministers and B.C. government acknowledged problems with diseased salmon and impacts on wild salmon, moved leases to “month by month” instead of renewing for a full term. It is unclear if the decision gives leases four more years of operation or if First Nations will actually have a say to stop net pens operating in their territories with diseased fish.

Members of the ‘Namgis First Nation stand in protest of a ship transferring one million Atlantic salmon smolts to Marine Harvest’s Swanson Island Farm. Days before this photo was taken, the Canadian Federal Court dismissed the First Nation’s court bid to block the restocking of the open-net salmon farm in its traditional territories off northern Vancouver Island, claiming that the ‘Namgis had filed their application ‘too late,’  but admitting that there was a ‘real and non-speculative likelihood of harm’ from the net pen operation. Photo: Alexandra Morton