Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans released a discussion framework Friday that outlines the next phase in the transition from open net aquaculture in B.C. With the goal of phasing out open-net salmon farms in BC coastal waters. by 2025, this pledge round is the minister’s final step towards achieving this goal. “What I intend to do is get input on a transition plan that will minimize or largely eliminate the interaction between wild fish and farmed salmon,” said Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. “I’d be interested in people’s ideas [and] their feedback on what kind of metrics we would use to measure that interactions are reduced or eliminated.” In June, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) temporarily renewed the licenses of 79 open net salmon farms outside the Discovery Islands for two years. The ministry also said it would strengthen reporting requirements to curb harmful pathogens affecting wild fish populations.
Immature technology raises concerns
One tool DFO suggests in the framework is to raise the eyebrows of experts. A semi-closed containment system — where a flexible polymer material is used as a barrier between a net pen and the open ocean — has been proposed by the ministry to aid the transition. Stan Proboszcz, science and campaign adviser for the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, said there is not nearly enough reliable data on the use of this method to be included in BC’s transition plan. He pointed to a test of the system in Clyoquot Sound, Vancouver Island by Cermaq Canada, which was interrupted due to a technical error that resulted in fish mortality. “It was just like a year or two ago. Why will it work now?’ Proboszcz said. According to Cermaq Canada’s website, no signs of illness were found in the trapped fish and the company will retest the system after a full investigation into the initial failure. “[A semi-closed containment system] it is immature technology under development. So it’s no surprise that when you’re testing new technology you’re going to face challenges,” said Peter McKenzie, fish health manager at Cermaq in a written statement. Bob Chamberlin, president of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, said his involvement with the decisions made in 2018 about tenures at the Broughton Archipelago fish farm taught him that semi-closed systems are not a reliable tool. “When we looked [a semi-closed containment system] and analyzed it, it didn’t address any of the concerns we had,” Chamberlin said. “We looked at it for several meetings and it just doesn’t protect wild salmon.” Under the same objective in the framework, DFO also lists licensing, closed containment systems, land-based facilities and enhanced pathogen monitoring as part of the proposed approach.
The dual licensing approach could threaten the schedule
To “support the development and testing of technologies,” DFO is proposing a dual-stream licensing approach. This will give fish farm operators two options when they are in the market to renew their licence: a standard license or an enhanced performance licence. The idea, according to DFO, is to incentivize industry members to invest in more sustainable technologies, meet increasingly stringent environmental standards and eventually phase out all formal permits. However, Proboszcz said he is concerned about how well this seemingly phased approach to dual licensing will work alongside an already unclear timetable. “My concern is how long is this going to last?” Proboszcz said. “When the federal government first made that promise to … create a plan to transition this industry by 2025, I think the vast majority of people thought they meant that the farms were going to be taken away much sooner than they were. this frame is seen.” Meanwhile, industry members are already fretting over the “ambitious” timetable they say has been set. “While elements of the proposed framework are challenging given the ambitious timeline set out, we are encouraged that the federal government will rely on consensus and peer-reviewed science as a basis for planning,” the BC Salmon Farmers Association said in a written statement.
Lack of communication with First Nations
The first phase of engagement runs from now until September with invitations being emailed to BC’s First Nations, Indigenous organizations, industry, conservation groups and local governments, according to DFO.
This phase also includes an online survey that will be open for public participation through the DFO Pacific Region consultation and engagement website.
But for many nations across the province, Chamberlin said the messages were anything but clear. He told Glacier Media that many First Nations are just realizing this opportunity.
“First Nations are just now becoming aware of the funding opportunity that DFO provides to participate and make a formal submission to the transition planning process,” he said.
As president of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, Chamberlin took it upon himself to spread the word. In the past 10 days he has spoken with 30 to 35 tribal councils to inform them of the application they must submit in order to be included in the engagement process.
“This is news to them. I bring them information about where they could access resources to properly inform the transition planning process,” Chamberlin said.
By the time more First Nations can get their applications approved, Chamberlin worries the engagement process could already be moving into its second phase.
Minister Murray told Glacier Media that First Nations are a key part of this framework and she will seek feedback from any First Nations that historically have a relationship with wild salmon.
A promising first step
While Chamberlin is disappointed with DFO’s communication with First Nations during the first phase, he said his initial reaction to the framework has been encouraging. “They will bind First Nations whose fish migrate beyond the fish farms,” he said. “This is really important.” In the past, Chamberlin said the commitment has often been limited to First Nations with fish farms on their territory and has excluded those whose wild salmon migrate past those farms. “The impact of fish farming operations extends across British Columbia, down to the headwaters of the Fraser River and the Thompson River,” Chamberlin said. Chamberlin noted that DFO’s commitment of all affected First Nations is consistent with the Supreme Court case Haida Nation v. British Columbia. “It’s not nice, it’s actually DFO upholding High Court law,” he said. “The Haida Supreme Court decision says that even the possibility of Aboriginal rights being infringed by Crown license or decision triggers the duty to consult.” For Proboszcz, his feelings of encouragement come solely from the fact that these discussions are even being held by government officials, despite any general flaws. “It’s the first time a government has spoken about concerns about aquaculture and salmon farming, and that’s hopeful,” Proboszcz said. “I appreciate all the work that has gone into this and the concern, but I think more work is needed.”
