File photo.
The company that owns 20 fish farms off the northeast tip of Vancouver Island says it’s not moving for at least 60 days with tenures set to end this week.
Marine Harvest Canada runs the farms in the Broughton Archipelago.
Spokesperson Jeremy Dunn says if the provincial government intends to evict Marine Harvest Canada, the company must get 60 days notice.
Dunn says no notice has been received and it’s common for tenures that require more consultation go to a month-to-month provision.
Dunn said that was the case the last time tenures expired.
Premier John Horgan has said an announcement is coming soon on expiring tenures and says his government is in talks with First Nations who have protested the farms.
Last Friday, the province announced the establishment of the Wild Salmon Advisory Panel that will develop a strategy to restore B.C.’s wild salmon populations.
It will report back to the premier at the end of the summer.
Wild salmon advocates argue the presence of fish farms in the Broughton Archipelago is the main issue to the species and said Friday’s announcement isn’t doing enough.
In a statement, the B.C. Salmon Farmers’ Association said,”it’s a positive development that the province is taking a holistic approach. Salmon farming is an important part of protecting wild salmon stocks because it provides an alternative source of salmon.”
Washington State announced earlier this year its intention to end Atlantic salmon farming in net pens off its coast by 2025.
With files from the Canadian Press.
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