Mowi disappointed with BC salmon ban

On 19 June 2024, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillier announced a new five-year licensing period to 30 June 2029 as well as a policy to move-away from traditional marine salmon farms in BC.

The government is proposing moving BC salmon farms to closed-containment systems or onto land, with further details, including a draft plan for the required transition, to be announced by the end of July 2024 and to be followed by another period of consultation.

In a statement Mowi said: “The unfortunate announcement comes despite our efforts to pave the way for future sustainable growth and employment, including a thorough consultation process involving multiple stakeholders as well as gaining strong support over the years from the local communities in which we operate. We are disappointed with the decision since traditional marine salmon farming is absolutely sustainable, thus the basis for the decision lacks scientific merit. Mowi will now take the time to examine the announcement more closely and explore our available options before taking the appropriate action.”

Mowi has 46 seawater licences in Canada West (British Columbia) and harvested 19,000 GWT there in 2023. Its revenues from the region totalled €149 million and its operational EBIT reached €11 million.

Overall, in 2023 Mowi Group harvested 475,000 GWT of salmon. Its revenues totalled €5.5 billion and its operational EBIT exceeded €1 billion.

The Government of Canada explained its decision to ban open net-pen salmon aquaculture in BC is part of its plans to protect the region’s wild Pacific salmon.

After 1 July 2024, only marine or land-based closed-containment systems will be considered for salmon aquaculture licences.