Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has announced a two-year renewal of licences for marine finfish aquaculture facilities outside the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, (BC) Canada.
DFO’s decision impacts salmon farms run by Mowi, Grieg and Cermaq, and is part of a planned transition from open-net pen salmon aquaculture in BC.
The new licences include stronger requirements for aquaculture facilities, including the implementation of standardised reporting requirements and sea lice management plans, as well as wild salmon monitoring.
In a press release, DFO said the decision follows two years of engagement with partners and stakeholders on these new measures and will allow the industry to continue to operate within the current regulations while the transition plan is being collaboratively developed to define the future of the industry.
The department explained that wild Pacific salmon are of great cultural and economic importance to BC communities, but that the fish are facing historic threats and experiencing significant population declines.
“It is a Government of Canada priority to protect and restore our oceans and coasts. Part of that work includes a mandate commitment to transition from open-net pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia’s coastal waters in a manner that protects wild salmon, the environment, and the economy,” it said.
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Joyce Murray, said that to grow an aquaculture industry that remains profitable and sustainable, and which also “measurably reduces or eliminates environmental impacts” on wild fish, the transition must be progressively phased in and predictable.
In the coming weeks, a draft framework for transitioning from open-net pen salmon aquaculture will be shared, with input from the Government of British Columbia, First Nations, industry, local governments, stakeholders, and British Columbians.
Consultations will run until early 2023, with the feedback received used to develop a final transition plan, expected in spring 2023.
Regarding finfish aquaculture facilities in the Discovery Islands, and in response to a Federal Court decision in April, DFO will conduct consultations with First Nations communities and current licence holders. These consultations will inform a final decision expected in January 2023 after considering input from all affected parties.
While this process is underway, DFO will not reissue licences for Atlantic salmon facilities in this area.
In a statement, the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) and the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) said the federal government’s decision to renew the BC salmon farming licences and to establish a process for the salmon farms in the Discovery Islands is good for Canadians.
Ruth Salmon, Interim Executive Director of BCSFA, said, “This announcement will give us the opportunity to work with all levels of government, including First Nations, to secure a future that will benefit indigenous and non-indigenous coastal communities, meet the global demand for healthy, affordable seafood, and support the continuation in protection and restoration of wild Pacific salmon.”
“Canadians and the world need a climate-friendly, affordable, and secure food supply at a time of significant food and living cost inflation,” said Timothy Kennedy, CAIA President and CEO. “While we are encouraged that licences have been renewed, we genuinely needed a six-year license term that reflected our production cycle. Longer license terms would have provided the confidence to further invest in innovation and technology, leading to continued operational and sustainable improvements, job creation for coastal communities, and greater food security.”
According to CAIA, salmon farming employs 14,500 Canadians, and generates over $4 billion in economic activity annually.
