North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney says she has been working through the holidays in an effort to help Discovery Island communities transition after the government announced it would be phasing out salmon farms in the area.
Earlier this month, the federal government revealed that active fish farms in the Discovery Islands – near Campbell River – will be phased out over the next 18 months due to environmental concerns.
The government said that the area will only be licensed for the next 18 months and no new fish of any size may be introduced into Discovery Islands facilities during this period.
“The announcement came just a week before Christmas and it has shaken people in our communities who work in aquaculture and rely on the industry to keep food on their families’ tables and a roof over their heads,” said Blaney. “As Member of Parliament for North Island-Powell River, my priority is to support the many workers, families, and communities that are facing deep concerns and uncertainty over the holidays and heading into the new year.”
Blaney states she has been reaching out to mayors, major salmon farm operators, workers, and the Minister of Fisheries over the last few weeks in order “to bring more certainty and good jobs to our communities.”
The federal Department of Fisheries’ decision was announced on December 17 and follows work done by the Cohen Commission, as well as the Broughton agreement between First Nations, the province, and industry.
The government notes that the decision was made following consultations with First Nations that helped determine the phase-out was the right fit for the area.
According to the federal government, the consultations with the seven First Nations in the Discovery Islands area – the Homalco, Klahoose, K’ómoks, Kwaikah, Tla’amin, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations – provided important guidance to the Minister’s decision.
Blaney says that since the announcement, the surrounding communities have emphasized fear about their jobs, their finances and their future.
“In times like these, it can be easy to drive divisions between us. People are worried about their jobs and their future and feel that the work they take pride in is under attack. But all of us who live in the communities that dot our coastlines share a love and respect for wild salmon and our oceans. And we all share a desire to be able to keep raising and supporting our families here,” said Blaney.
“I will continue – as I have as long as I have served as MP – to listen, to learn, to promote good management and stewardship of the land and sea where we live, and to fight for local jobs and the diversification of our economies.”
While residents in the Discovery Island area are concerned about local jobs and finances, the BC Salmon Farmers Association believes this decision could be detrimental on a grander scale.
“This decision has significant implications and puts salmon farming in B.C. and across Canada at risk. This comes at a bad time, during a pandemic when local food supply and good local jobs have never been more important,” reads a statement from the organization.
The federal government says it will continue working collaboratively with partners on the responsible transition from open-net pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025.
Currently, there are 19 fish farms in the Discovery Island area, with nine of them being described as fallowed meaning there are no fish in the pens at this time.
Graham Cox
