Lousy Choices II

VANCOUVER: Expensive new vessels are failing to control the parasites that are decimating wild salmon stocks, according to a report released today by Living Oceans Society. The report analyses the treatments given on the farms over the past two years and assigns a failing grade to the Hydrolicers and wellboats purchased by salmon farming companies at reported costs of $12 to $30 million.

Vancouver:  Living Oceans Society supports the call by First Nations to remove Shaw Point salmon farm immediately, for failure to control sea lice during the wild salmon outmigration. The We Wai Kum and We Wai Kai Nations near Campbell River demanded closure of the farm this week, citing an escape of about 1000 Atlantic salmon into their territory.

The Glendale River in Knight Inlet used to have a massive run of pink salmon. It supported gillnet and seine fisheries and still returned a million fish to the spawning grounds. Today, no-one can find fish in the river. The grizzlies are starving and the eagles are absent. Read our latest blog here.

VANCOUVER:Living Oceans has stated in a submission to the National Energy Board (NEB) that Trans Mountain cannot commence construction until it fulfills a condition set by the NEB to show commercial support.

“The NEB’s conditions require Trans Mountain to prove commercial support exists for the project,” said Karen Wristen, Executive Director for Living Oceans. “But that was done under the old certificate that was set aside by the Courts and is no longer valid.  This condition must be met again under the new certificate issued by NEB.”

The groups submitted a motion to the Federal Court of Appeal this morning, asking for leave to launch a judicial review of Cabinet’s decision.

They argue that Cabinet failed to comply with its responsibility to protect critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales when it re-approved the project on June 18, 2019.

Spokespeople from the organizations issued the following statements:

Margot Venton, nature program director, Ecojustice:

Living Oceans is appalled by the re-approval of the Trans Mountain Pipeline project, coming as it does hard on the heels of a declaration by the federal government of a climate emergency.

“The facts are well known: it is impossible for Canada to meet its Paris climate commitments and build oil infrastructure with a 50-year lifespan as well,” said Executive Director Karen Wristen. “This is a mistake for the economy and the environment.”