Coalition opposes facilitator for salmon farming transition plans
“We cannot trust that an impartial process will occur as the First Nations Fisheries Council’s stance against salmon farming is well known,” say aquaculture-dependant indigenous communities in British Columbia By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Aquaculture-dependant First Nations in British Columbia are worried…
First Nations to shape the future of aquaculture in BC
Canada acknowledges First Nations’ rights to define their relationships with the aquaculture industry in a plan that will shape the future of salmon farming in British Columba. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The future of salmon farming in British Columbia will largely…
Aquaculture sector thanks Atlantic Canada’s premiers
“When it comes to salmon farming, Atlantic Canada is unique – and that uniqueness is key to our sector’s success,” states an open letter to premiers Dear Atlantic Premiers: As our region, our country and the rest of the world…
Net gains from aquaculture growing around the world
Record aquaculture production makes critical contribution to global food security says UN By Samantha McLeodSeaWestNews Aquaculture has grown faster than capture fisheries in the last two years and is expected to expand further over the next decade across the world,…
‘Wild and farmed salmon can both exist in our waters’
First Nation, that is calling for an Aquaculture Zone in its traditional territories, signs historic agreement to determine how its land, water and natural resources will be managed. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews A BC First Nation, that is calling for an…
Lobster industry clawing back from COVID-19 pandemic hits
Government bailouts for the lobster industry have been controversial among both politicians and consumers By Kevin FaganSeaWestNews According to a newly released report by the National Fisheries Institute, the US and Canadian lobster industries generated $7.9 billion in revenue in…
Summit to hear Canada’s aquaculture success and setbacks
Global conference will also showcase science, technology, business, and social aspects of aquaculture By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Canada’s innovations in harvesting the oceans will be on display in an upcoming conference which will feature hundreds of world-class speakers and delegates from…
Another smolt step in Grieg’s aquaculture transition plan
Grieg Seafood’s hatchery expansion project will allow juvenile salmon to grow longer on land before being transferred to sea farms in British Columbia By SeaWestNews Grieg Seafood BC has received the first transfers of juvenile Atlantic salmon into its expanded…
First Nations assert traditional rights to farm salmon
Aquaculture-dependent First Nations in BC set to defy government agenda to remove salmon farms from their traditional territories By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Aquaculture dependent First Nations say they will assert their traditional rights to allow salmon farming in their territorial waters,…
Canada renews 79 licences for BC’s salmon farmers
Long awaited aquaculture announcement delivers a major blow to the science-deficit campaigns by anti-fish farming activists who want to shut down salmon farms in British Columbia. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Ottawa today announced a two-year renewal of aquaculture licences for 79…
Let us keep our salmon farms say First Nation leaders
Salmon aquaculture operations have brought us out of a dark era of depression, poverty, and suicides, say First Nation leaders in a series of poignant videos. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews First Nation leaders from British Columbia’s coastal communities are demanding that…
Newsrooms vs Courtrooms in the battle over salmon farms
In many of our newsrooms, anti-salmon farming activists have found allies to propagate their narratives. In the courtrooms, where factual evidence matters, a different story emerges. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews As the government is set to decide on whether to renew…
Poll finds majority of US voters support aquaculture
As Canada dithers over the future of salmon farms in British Columbia, most Americans support aquaculture to increase sustainable seafood production. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews A new American poll shows overwhelming support for the expansion of aquaculture in the United States…
BC aquatic research facility incorporates Indigenous governance model
“Our First Nations leaders want reliable, local science advice that they can trust and understand in the face of so much competing and activist-driven science in the media,” Dallas Smith, of the Tlowitsis First Nation By Samantha McLeodSeaWestNews British Columbia’s…
Canada needs to intensify agri-food and aquaculture production
“With rapidly rising food prices and the growing spectre of global food shortages, Canada not only has the potential, but an obligation, to support food production as a top policy priority.” – Canadian food producers By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Canadian food…
Top scientists rip fake claims by anti-fish farm activists
“Home-grown, ocean-farmed salmon is a valuable food resource for Canadians. It is an affordable, highly nutritious protein with year-round access” – Canada’s top fisheries and aquaculture scientists By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Canada’s top fisheries and aquaculture scientists are urging the public…
First Nation renews aquaculture agreement with salmon farmer
“We are at a point of unprecedented challenges brought on by climate change, and a lack of understanding, particularly in the Federal government of our Nation’s rights and this important relationship,” – Ahousaht First Nation By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Ahousaht, one…
The lying games by BC’s anti-salmon farming activists
Politicians, media, and the public being pummelled by falsehoods about BC’s salmon farmers. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews If fearmongering was an Olympic sport, BC’s anti-salmon farming activists would rule the podium as they have mastered the art of spreading falsehoods. Powered…
“It will be a shuckingly good seafood celebration”
BC Seafood Festival returns to the Comox Valley with a range of chefs and events to celebrate the bounty of our oceans. By Samantha McLeodSeaWestNews Western Canada’s largest seafood festival is returning to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island this…
Politics drives Faustian salmon aquaculture pact in BC
“To remain in power, the PMO is willing to sacrifice the citizens and their children and future generations of Northern Vancouver Islanders to a life of poverty and isolation. And the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is an all-too-willing accomplice.”…
False facts matter to BC’s anti-salmon farming activists
After losing two recent court cases, anti-salmon farming activists in BC have embarked on a concerted campaign to discredit aquaculture and fisheries scientists CommentaryBy Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews British Columbia’s anti-fish farming crowd, licking its wounds after two recent court rulings decimated…
Federal Court rejects ministerial bid to shut down BC salmon farms
New ruling reaffirms that “salmon aquaculture in B.C. poses no more than a minimal risk to wild salmon”, countering the false claims by anti-fish farm activists. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The Federal Court has ordered the government to set aside its…
“Their aim is to spread fear not facts about salmon farming”
New study says findings about organisms and viruses that have no significant impact on fish health is causing unnecessary controversies over salmon farming in British Columbia. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Dubious claims based on questionable science, peddled widely by anti-aquaculture activists,…
Land-based salmon farming not for us: First Nations coalition
Aquaculture-dependent First Nations decry Ottawa’s lack of understanding on what transitioning open-net salmon farming to growing fish on land means to remote Indigenous coastal communities. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Moving to land-based salmon farming is not an option for aquaculture-dependent coastal…
BC First Nations in Ottawa to fight for salmon farming rights
“As the original stewards of Canada’s coastal waters for millennia, we are calling on you to re-issue salmon farming licences in the territories of the Nations who want to pursue it.” – Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship By…
First Nations want ‘Aquaculture Zone’ off Vancouver Island
“We are working towards sustainability of both fisheries and aquaculture…they can both exist in our waters, but it should be our community that decides what that looks like for our Traditional Territory,” – The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Two…
Respect our rights to salmon farming say First Nations
“Our coalition is opposed to the federal government disregarding science and bowing to unfounded activist claims on salmon farming that, if heeded, will severely damage our communities, and deny our rights and title,” – Coalition of First Nations for Finfish…
Feds told to renew expiring salmon farm licences
Sources indicate that DFO is recommending that expiring salmon farm licences in BC should be renewed for between five and six years. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The Federal government is being told to renew the soon-to-expire salmon farming permits in British…
Coastal communities at risk if salmon farm licences expire: Premier Horgan
If Ottawa does not renew 79 soon-to-expire salmon farming licences, it would eliminate hundreds of aquaculture jobs, undermine the economy of dozens of coastal communities, and violate First Nations rights, says B.C. Premier John Horgan By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews B.C. Premier…
Why we need more aquaculture in our oceans
“Farming fish in the ocean provides climate-friendly protein with low greenhouse gas emissions and little to no conversion of land.” Guest Commentary By Sarah Brenholt During this National Oceans Month, it’s a time to reflect on the fact that America has…