OTTAWA,
ON, June 19, 2024 /CNW/ - Wild Pacific salmon
are an emblematic species in British
Columbia that face unprecedented threats to their survival.
The Government of Canada is
committed to protecting wild salmon and promoting more sustainable
aquaculture practices.
Today, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of
Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced that the
Government of Canada will ban open
net-pen salmon aquaculture in British
Columbia coastal waters by June 30,
2029.
A number of First Nations, coastal communities, and others in
British Columbia rely on open
net-pen aquaculture for their livelihood and prosperity. The
Government of Canada will release
a draft salmon aquaculture transition plan by the end of July, that
will focus on:
- how to support First Nations, workers, and communities in this
transition;
- identifying economic supports for the use of innovative and
clean aquaculture technology;
- milestones, principles, and criteria for the transition of
salmon open net-pen aquaculture over the five-year licence period;
and,
- management of salmon open net-pen aquaculture until the ban is
fully implemented.
Over the coming months, federal departments, as part of a
whole-of-government effort, will engage with those directly and
indirectly affected by this transition to discuss how best to
support them. This transition only applies to aquaculture practices
in British Columbia, where
Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the lead regulator for aquaculture.
Elsewhere in Canada, where
provinces and territories are the lead regulator, Fisheries and
Oceans Canada respects their jurisdiction.
To facilitate a successful transition, Minister Lebouthillier
also announced her intention to renew salmon aquaculture licences
for five years. Effective July 1,
2024, these licences will come with stricter conditions to
ensure improved management of sea lice on farmed fish, robust
reporting requirements for industry, and additional monitoring of
marine mammal interactions. These conditions will strengthen
protections for wild species and the marine environment, while
ensuring aquaculture facilities can operate safely during this
transition period.
After July 1, 2024, only marine or
land-based closed-containment systems will be considered for salmon
aquaculture licences in coastal British
Columbia. The Government of Canada recognizes that such systems are likely
to come with increased investment costs. To provide greater
predictability, Minister Lebouthillier also announced her intention
to issue nine-year licences to successful closed-containment
production applicants.
Over the past several years, the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans heard a wide range of opinions, concerns, and views on open
net-pen salmon aquaculture in coastal British Columbia. The Government of
Canada is committed to ensuring a
responsible, realistic, and achievable transition that will
encourage innovative forms of aquaculture production for a more
sustainable future.
Quotes
"The government is firmly committed to taking concrete steps to
protect wild Pacific salmon. Today, I'm announcing the essence of a
responsible, realistic, and achievable transition that ensures the
protection of wild species, food security and the vital economic
development of British Columbia's
First Nations, coastal communities and others, as we keep working
towards a final transition plan by 2025."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries,
Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"In 2019, we committed to developing a responsible plan to
transition from open-net pen salmon farming to closed containment
technologies, in order to protect and support our crucially
important wild Pacific salmon and create a vibrant marine ecosystem
and sustainable industries for generations to come. Today, we are
delivering on that promise and taking an important step in
Canada's path towards salmon and
environmental conservation, sustainable aquaculture production, and
clean technology. We recognize the importance of meaningful and
thoughtful engagement with First Nations partners and communities
as we move forward, in order to ensure that economic impacts are
mitigated and we incentivize and promote wild fish health,
reconciliation, economic development, and food security as we move
forwards."
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources
"Wild Pacific salmon is part of who we are as British
Columbians. This measure respects the Wild Salmon Policy, the
precautionary principle, and is part of our commitment to
environmental stewardship and reconciliation. We will work with
Indigenous communities, industry, governments, and stakeholders to
restore the abundance of wild salmon for the benefit of future
generations while growing the sustainable aquaculture industry as
part of our Blue Economy Strategy."
The Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens'
Services
"British Columbians care deeply about protecting wild salmon.
Today's announcement to end open net-pen aquaculture on the Pacific
Coast addresses the need to preserve this iconic species, while
ensuring the prosperity of Indigenous and coastal communities.
Through this transition, Canada
will position itself as a global leader in sustainable
aquaculture."
The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and
Physical Activity of Canada
"Since 2019, Canadians have looked to the federal government to
protect wild salmon - including regulating fish farming. Ending
open net aquaculture is a transformative shift that will make
Canada a world leader in
sustainable aquaculture production, and preserve BC's pristine
coast and fragile ecosystem for generations to come."
Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament for Vancouver
Granville
Associated Links
- Policy Statement - Protecting Wild Pacific Salmon: The
Transition from Open Net-Pen Salmon Aquaculture to Closed
Containment Systems in British Columbia Coastal Waters
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada