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Canada’s Federal Court of Appeal has upheld Ottawa’s decision to end salmon farming in B.C.’s Discovery Islands.
Yes, it's a win, but it isn't over yet!
Wild salmon need permanent protection — not temporary policy promises.
“The likelihood of having favourable wind and waves, good visibility, daylight hours and slack currents at the time of a spill and for days afterward is not just improbable, it is nonexistent,” the study concluded. Read the full story at Times Colonist.
“The BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) laments Canadians’ “restricted” ability to buy salmon farmed in our ocean, citing food security concerns and the climate implications of imports. What they don’t mention is that they only ever sold about 4,000 to 5,000 tonnes annually into the Canadian market.”
“The decision upholds the fisheries minister’s “precautionary approach” to salmon farms and already appears to be paying off, according to Karen Wristen, executive director of Living Oceans Society, an intervener in the case.” Read the full article in BIV.
“We all owe a debt of gratitude to these ministers who stood firm in showing the Department of Fisheries what precautionary decision-making looks like,” said Karen Wristen, executive director at Living Oceans Society in a statement.
VANCOUVER / UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH), AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES — The Federal Court of Appeal today issued a decision on an appeal by MOWI against then Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray’s decision to keep salmon farms in the Discovery Islands shuttered. Farms have been closed there since early 2021, when licence extensions were first denied. Minister Murray made an express finding that science required that she make a precautionary decision about the licences and today’s decision confirms that choice.
“Dr. Martin Haulena, the head veterinarian at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society, said the gillnet had likely been digging into the seal's neck for weeks or even months.” Read the full CBC story.
Jess Coughlan, senior campaigner at Environment Tasmania, said the lack of fines did little to spur the salmon industry to prevent mass deaths. “Penalties must apply, as they do in Norway, as a disincentive to allowing current mortality rates to become the new normal, and bring animal welfare back into focus for an industry that is clearly beyond control,” she said. Read the full story at The Guardian.
“According to a recent report by sustainable seafood watchdog SeaChoice, retailers’ human rights policies are often not embedded into operational practices and no Canadian retailer verifies whether third-party brands adhere to the company’s stated policies.” Read the full Above Ground article.
"RAS is an aquaculture adaptation strategy known for being more eco-friendly, water-efficient and highly productive, as it is not associated with the harmful environmental impacts of open-net pen aquaculture. This approach mitigates concerns around water pollution, escaped fish, sea lice infestations and algae bloom issues, the Nation said." Read more at westerleynews.ca.
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