UPDATE! Our Sound, Our Salmon Letter to John Horgan and B.C. Atlantic salmon net pen tenures

On June 20^th, Premier John Horgan and Lana Popham, B.C.'s Minister of Agriculture, held a press conference to announce the province’s decision, however following  the announcement there was a great deal of confusion over whether or not the leases had been renewed.

Here is an update on the decision, as we understand it from conversations with our B.C colleagues.  Please view the video link following for a more in-depth update and analysis:

• On Friday 6/15/18—five days before the tenures expired— the B.C. government announced the formation of a ‘Wild Salmon Advisory Council’ to develop a strategy for sustaining and restoring wild fish populations in the province.   While the scope of this committee extends beyond issues related to aquaculture, it seems that they will be making some sort of recommendation related to Atlantic salmon net pen aquaculture this fall.

Some of our colleagues in B.C. voiced concern over the lack of representation from conservation groups on the council when compared to recreational and commercial fishing interests.

• On Wednesday 6/20/18 Lana Popham (Minister of Agriculture) announced that the fish farm tenures that were due to expire at midnight were shifted into month to month leases. There was a confusing caveat that the month to month leases will continue until 2022 at which time the province will only grant tenures to fish farm operators if they meet two criteria:

1. They must prove to Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) that their operations will not adversely impact wild salmon stocks
2. They must negotiate agreements with the First Nation(s) in whose territory they propose to operate

• The day following the announcement, possibly in response to the significant confusion and outcry by First Nation members and the public, the B.C. government seemed to walk back on the initial announcement stating that while the 20 farms in the Broughton Archipelago are currently on a month to month renewal, the 2022 date would not apply to these farms but instead to all other fish farms across B.C. They said the tenures would remain month to month until an agreement was reached with the four Broughton First Nations who have been in government to government talks with the province since January.

We highly recommend watching this video by Alexandra Morton, an Independent Biologist in B.C., explaining exactly what happened on the days surrounding June 20^th.  You can also view the province's  official press release on the decision.

Stay tuned for future opportunities to stand in solidarity with B.C. and support a Pacific coast free of Atlantic salmon net pen aquaculture.  The Our Sound, Our Salmon Coalition will be sure to keep everyone updated on how you can best support these efforts.