First Nations Leaders Join Environmental Groups, Commercial Fishermen, Tourism Operators, Business Leaders calling for Transition Plan for BC Salmon Farms

In advance of Truth and Reconciliation Day, First Nations leaders convened today for a media conference hosted by Chief Dr. Robert Joseph at the Union of BC Indian Chiefs offices in Vancouver. Together with allies from many other sectors, they called for the new Fisheries Minister to release a Transition Plan that gives full scope to the government’s 2019 commitment to remove open netpen salmon farms from B.C. waters by 2025.  They also called for reliable, long-term funding for salmon restoration work.

"There has never been a coalition so large or so diverse in terms of politics, interests and professions calling for action on an environmental issue in B.C.," said Karen Wristen, Executive Director of Living Oceans Society. "The government needs to move on this file now!"

All major media outlets were in attendance.  Read the stories:

https://www.todayinbc.com/news/123-first-nations-renew-call-to-close-b-c-salmon-farms-as-dfo-weakens-promise/

https://biv.com/article/2023/09/first-nation-leaders-tell-new-fisheries-minister-shut-down-fish-farms

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-first-nations-commercial-fishers-and-tourism-groups-urge-federal-government-to-phase-out-salmon-farms-1.6580925

Ironically, it appears that the US will be moving forward with salmon restoration faster than Canada, where it is the top environmental issue in the minds of 86% of BC's population!

“President Biden signs a Presidential Memorandum to prioritize the restoration of healthy and abundant wild salmon, steelhead, and other native fish populations to the Columbia River Basin.

…President Biden is directing all relevant Federal agencies to utilize existing authorities and available resources – and assess what additional authorities and resources may be needed – to restore these wild fish populations and help ensure that the United States upholds its treaty and trust responsibilities to the Tribes.”

WH Factsheet/backgrounder here.