This letter was sent to MP Patrick Weiler, and shared with Pique.
British Columbia’s wild salmon drive recreational fishing industries and wilderness tourism. They’re integral to aboriginal culture. Ocean-based factory fish farms threaten wild salmon and everyone that depends on them. Open-net salmon farms amplify parasites, viruses and bacteria and spread them to wild salmon, according to numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies published in independent journals. I want all salmon farms removed from B.C. coastal waters as soon as possible, and no later than 2025.
The current federal government committed to transitioning open-net salmon farms by 2025. I expect them to do so without delay or half measures. In recent DFO communications, semi-closed containment salmon farms have been mentioned as a possible solution or avenue for the transition despite any publicly available evidence that shows this technology is viable. Progressively minimizing or eliminating interactions between farm and wild salmon has also been touted by the federal government as a solution. We don’t have time for a protracted transition period.
The open-net salmon farming industry had decades to clean up its act. It’s time for the industry to transition completely out of coastal B.C. waters.
Another half measure being touted by DFO as a solution is known as area-based aquaculture management. This vague term suggests some unknown level of communication or coordination among open-net salmon farms in a region will protect wild salmon. The time for stalling is over. All open-net salmon farms must be removed by no later than 2025.
In addition, the open-net salmon farm transition should not just focus on shifting fish farm workers to another form of aquaculture. The transition should include shifting workers to other fields of employment that are currently in great need in British Columbia.
Wild salmon do not have time to spare. I call on you to do everything you can to remove factory fish farms from B.C. coastal waters by 2025 and keep your government’s promise to Canadians.
