Salmon farming center in British Columbia. (Photo: Jonathan Hayward / Canadian Press)

First Nation sues federal government on salmon farming

CANADA
Monday, January 14, 2019, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

A British Columbia First Nation has sued the federal government for allowing Atlantic salmon farming in its waters, which it considers is a violation of its Aboriginal rights.

Members from the Musgamagw Dzawada'enuxw and supporting communities boarded the Cermaq fish farm at Kingcome Inlet. (Melissa Willie/YouTube)

The claim, presented by Dzawada'enuxw First Nation in Vancouver federal court, says that 10 fish farms located in the waters of their Central Coast territory infringe on their Aboriginal rights to harvest eulachon and wild salmon.

The filing alleges the fish farms threaten eulachon and wild salmon by exposing them to viruses and parasites from Atlantic salmon and that the farms pollute the marine environment, CBC News reported.

Traditional leader and chief councillor of the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation Willie Moon.

The file states that wild salmon and eulachon were basic in the Nation`s diet. The fish are packed, preserved or processed and sometimes traded to other Indigenous people for other properties.

Salmon and eulachon use were "defining features" of the Dzawada'enuxw economy, and contributed to their distinctive culture, the file shows, as it also asserts that First Nation has constitutional fishery rights.

However, according to the claim, both species are at risk. The salmon population in Dzawada'enuxw territory, around Kingcome Inlet, is in "a serious state of decline." Eulachon populations have been at inconsistent levels since the mid-1990s and are below historic levels.

Dzawada'enuxw First Nation's lawyer Jack Woodward, highlights that this is the third lawsuit the nation has filed over salmon farming in their territory. The two previous ones were against British Columbia.

On that regard, the lawyer explained that the federal and provincial governments have different responsibilities when it comes to fish farm permitting. The province decides where fish farming operations will be located but the federal government issues licences for particular activities.

"The challenge today is about the very idea that the federal government can issue a licence to authorize the introduction of Atlantic salmon — an alien species, into Pacific waters," Woodward said.

Eulachon, left to ferment for several days on a bed of cedar boughs as part of the production of eulachon grease. (Nuxalk College)

Woodward added that the majority of the 10 farms could be cancelled by 2023 under an agreement between First Nations and the provincial government announced last December.

For his part, a spokesperson for Fisheries and Oceans Canada highlighted efforts made on collaborating with the province, First Nations and industry on aquaculture in the Broughton Archipelago on B.C.'s Central Coast.

"We are committed to working together to ensure that this program can move forward in a way that is transparent and collaborative," the spokesperson said.

According to the claim, the fish farm licences are held by Cermaq and Mowi Canada (formerly Marine Harvest Canada).

Related article:

-BC Govt, First Nations and aquaculture firms agree to restrict salmon farming

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