Mainstreet poll shows majority of B.C. residents support immediate ban on open pen net salmon farms

Mainstreet poll shows majority of B.C. residents support immediate ban on open pen net salmon farms
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A Cermaq salmon farm in Clayoquot Sound. Photo courtesy CBC/Clayoquot Action.

A Cermaq salmon farm in Clayoquot Sound. Photo courtesy CBC/Clayoquot Action.

Figures from a new poll released Monday show three-quarters of British Columbians who have an opinion on open net salmon farms would support an immediate ban.

Vancouver Island showed the most support for an immediate ban at 70 per cent as opposed to 19 per cent who do not support the idea.

25 per cent of British Columbians, with 12 per cent on Vancouver Island, said they are unsure.

On Vancouver Island, 56 per cent of respondents said they are opposed to open net salmon farms compared to 30 per cent in support of them.

Six-in-10 B.C. residents say they would support an immediate restriction on new development of open net salmon farms and a phased-in ban by 2025.

The highest rate in favour is on Vancouver Island at 72 per cent, with just 15 per cent of Islanders against the idea.

The report shows 65 per cent of British Columbians think open net fish farms are a danger to wild salmon populations and other marine life, with those on Vancouver Island most agreeing with that statement at 73 per cent.

Mainstreet says 27 per cent of British Columbians agree open net fish farms provide jobs and economic prosperity with minimal environmental impact, compared to 50 per cent that disagrees with that statement.

When it comes to eating salmon, the Mainstreet report shows 72 per cent of British Columbians have consumed wild salmon compared 28 per cent who say they have eaten farmed fish.

On Vancouver Island, 79 per cent chose wild salmon compared to 20 per cent for farmed fish.

The survey also found nearly 60 per cent of British Columbians support land-based salmon farming and would buy salmon if they knew it was raised on land and did not contribute to the pollution of coastal waters.

Vancouver Island leads the province in interest shown in news about a ban on open net salmon farms in Washington, with 59 per cent saying they have kept a close watch on the issue.

Overall interest in the story in B.C. is 39 per cent.

The survey results were collected from the response of 1,496 adults between April 10 and 15 and are part of a larger survey by the organization Wild First that looks at provincial and federal issues.

Andy NealAndy Neal

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