British Columbia salmon farm. (Photo: Stock File)

British Columbia sets new salmon farming rules

CANADA
Friday, June 22, 2018, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

The Government of British Columbia announced it will implement rigorous new rules for the renewal of salmon farm tenures in provincial waters, moving forward for a sustainable industry that protects wild salmon, embraces reconciliation, and provides good jobs.

The Ministry for Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development explains that the new requirements provide clarity on the salmon farming tenure process, establishing key criteria for tenures past 2022.

“We need to take the necessary steps — steps that should have been taken years ago — to ensure that fish farm operations do not put wild salmon stocks in jeopardy,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.“

As part of the new measure, effective June 2022, the Province will grant Land Act tenures only to fish farm operators who have proved Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) that their operations will not adversely impact wild salmon stocks, and who have negotiated agreements with the First Nation(s) in whose territory they propose to operate.

A key court ruling in 2009 clarified that the federal government has the exclusive jurisdiction for regulating fisheries, including fish farms.

“We will look to DFO to bring the best science to determining where and under what conditions open-pen fish farms can operate without threatening wild salmon and other species,” Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said.

The year 2022 aligns with the current renewal date of the substantial majority of fish licences issued by DFO. Operations with expired provincial tenures, or tenures that expire before June 2022, may operate with month-to-month tenures.

In addition to aligning with the expiry date of the majority of federal fish licences, the Province will give notice of the change in expectations to fish farm operators. In thi way, BC Government points out this will give operators time to adapt their operations to requirements established by DFO, strengthen their relationships with First Nations, and make investment decisions.

Meanwhile, the Province and Broughton-area First Nations are continuing discussions, which began on January 30 this year to resolve concerns regarding specific farms in the Broughton Archipelago.

However, BC First Nations leaders are reacting to news with some concerns, CBC News reported.

"I believe the four-year time frame is four years too late," said Chief Bob Chamberlin, vice-president of the BC Union of Indian Chiefs.

"What I am pleased with is we now have a government that recognizes the value of wild salmon, not just to First Nations people but to the economy of British Columbia," the leader claimed.

But Chamberlin highlighted the move is a big step toward implementing the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"We are working very hard with this government because they have made this commitment to implement this declaration," he said.

On the other hand, BC Salmon Farmers Association spokesman Shawn Hall said more than 75 per cent of the salmon they produce is already in partnership with local First Nations.

"About 20 per cent of the people who work for our industry are of First Nations heritage. So, for a lot of these small communities, salmon farming has become a major employer as other work has receded," Hall stated.

 
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