Retake the narrative about aquaculture: expert
“We need to make sure that we are backed up with legitimate and unbiased facts when we put forth our belief that aquaculture is the answer to saving the oceans … not the threat.” – Dr. Hugh Mitchell By Fabian…
Canada’s seafood farmers aim for a healthier and wealthier planet
Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance president, Timothy Kennedy joins global Advisory Network to help chart a path to a sustainable ocean economy SeaWestNews Timothy Kennedy, President & CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) will work with expert partners around…
Grieg Seafood invests in the West, expands in the East
Aquaculture giant, Grieg Seafood, celebrates 20th anniversary in B.C., with expansion plans in Eastern Canada, new gold standard for sustainability and a $40 million wellboat in Western Canada. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews It’s been a very merry February for Grieg Seafood…
Fact checking the falsehoods by an anti-fish farm activist group
When it comes to aquaculture in British Columbia, we need to inform ourselves with science and not activism By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The mantra of those wanting to spread falsehoods and fear has been that ‘if you tell lies big enough…
Study shows challenges facing land-based salmon farms in B.C.
New aquaculture technologies, as well as conventional net-pen systems, will all play a role in contributing to global production of salmon states new government report By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Transitioning all open-net fish farms in British Columbia to land-based salmon farms…
Energy use, emissions will increase with land-based fish farms, but….
Canada’s Fisheries Minister, Bernadette Jordan, hints at what’s in the soon-to-be released State of Salmon Aquaculture Technologies study By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Growing salmon to full market size on land will require a high amount of energy, increase greenhouse gas emissions…
Aquaculture community finds a N-EAT way to get fresh food
SFU pilot project aims to build on and expand traditional knowledge in First Nations communities for sustainable, nutritious, and organic food production By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Located on Swindle Island, 220 kilometres north of Port Hardy on B.C.’s spectacular central coast,…
Canada’s Fisheries Minister clarifies her B.C. aquaculture mandate
“The mandate letter is clear that I have to come up with a plan by 2025 and that’s what I will be doing,” – Minister of Fisheries, Bernadette Jordan. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Canada’s newly minted Minister of Fisheries, Bernadette Jordan…
Landslide blocking migrating salmon is “spectacular” as it is “daunting”
“There is no higher priority for me and for my department in British Columbia than addressing the Big Bar landslide on the Fraser River,” – Bernadette Jordan, Canada’s new Fisheries Minister By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The Big Bar landslide on the…
Why aquaculture needs a science-led democracy
“If campaigns against salmon farming were based on facts, I wouldn’t be writing this article.” CommentaryBy Ian Roberts As activists continue to sidestep the democratic process in favour of interrupting work spaces, governments must step up to protect the health…
Getting a grip on UNDRIP and what it means for British Columbia
Event in Vancouver will look at how First Nations are succeeding in business relations with companies in the energy, mining, aquaculture, and forestry sectors By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews From resource extraction to harvesting the oceans and to creating energy corridors, British…
Remembering Archie
Hereditary Chief, Archie Robinson, helped rescue his First Nations community with salmon farming By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews First Nations elder Archie Robinson Sr., who helped rescue his remote coastal community from economic disaster with a sustainable fish farming operation, has died….
The salmon farming flip-flop by the Liberals in four years
“Legislating the removal of salmon aquaculture from Canada’s oceans represents an excessive approach to resolving environmental issues that are already being managed through robust, science-based federal and provincial regulations.” – Liberal Govt. 2016 CommentaryBy Fabian Dawson Justin Trudeau has been…
Aquaculture NGO gives Trudeau a lump of coal this Xmas
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s mandate to phase out ocean net pen salmon farming in British Columbia flies in the face of the region’s commitment to responsible aquaculture,” – Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA). By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got…
Seals feast on escaped salmon from fire damaged fish farm
Until last week’s fire at the Robertson Island ocean pen, fewer than 100 Atlantic salmon have escaped from fish farms in B.C. over the past decade. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Many of the Atlantic salmon which escaped after fire damaged the…
Herring row heats up in the Strait of Georgia
“Fisheries management decisions should be based on solid peer-reviewed science not the number of signatures on a petition.” – BC Seafood Alliance. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The BC Seafood Alliance, the largest commercial fishing organization on Canada’s West Coast, is hailing…
Salmon farmers propel B.C. to a banner year for agriculture
Consistently ranked as the 4th largest farmed Atlantic salmon producer in the world, farmed salmon continues to be B.C.’s most valuable seafood export By SeaWestNews Salmon farmers in British Columbia exported $541 million worth of Atlantic salmon contributing to a…
Canada’s new Fisheries Minister saddled with a mandate of contradictions
Bernadette Jordan, the new Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, deserves a mandate that compliments Canada’s vision to lead the Global Blue Economy, not contradict it AnalysisBy Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Justin Trudeau’s mandate letter to his new Minister of Fisheries and Oceans,…
Fur set to fly at Nanaimo open house
FurCanada’s open house will kickstart campaigns for a seal, sea lion and sea otter commercial fishery in British Columbia. By SeaWestNews The fur is set to fly in Nanaimo this weekend, with an open house to kickstart campaigns for a…
Canada embraces aquaculture globally while choking it at home
Why are we funding sustainable aquaculture initiatives overseas while trying to kill it in British Columbia? Commentary By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Aquaculture is a cornerstone of the Blue Economy, which Canada has embraced. Our government has pledged tens of millions of…
RAS in Peace: The quick and the dead in land-based fish farming
Those who think land-based fish farming can replace ocean-based aquaculture, may want to take a walk though this RAS cemetery By SeaWestNews Land-based fish farming seems to be the buzzword for the lobby groups who want to put an end…
B.C. salmon farmers heed U.N.’s call to develop aquaculture industry
Embracing sustainability as an opportunity, B.C.’s salmon farmers are heeding the call by the United Nations to develop the aquaculture industry as a win-win for a planet in need. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews B.C.’s salmon farmers have embraced sustainability as an…
As Canada dithers, the world moves on with aquaculture
Canadian politicians have become victims of science-deficit activism, while countries around the world expand their aquaculture operations By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews As Canada dithers about growing salmon in the seas, countries around the world are increasing ocean-based aquaculture production for long-term…
Ontario farmed rainbow trout gets Ocean Wise nod
“Ocean Wise’s recommendation is just additional proof that Ontario-raised rainbow trout is one of the most eco-friendly proteins available today” By SeaWestNews Ocean Wise has officially recommended Ontario-farmed rainbow trout as a sustainable seafood choice. The Vancouver-based conservation program endorses…
Vet nets 2019 Atlantic Canada Aquaculture Award
“At a time when so many people and groups seem to be against aquaculture, it’s great to look out and see so many people who believe in fish farming and are dedicated to its sustainability.”– Dr. Leighanne Hawkins of Cooke…
Election vow to move fish farms out of the oceans unrealistic says global expert
“There is a lack of experienced management in this area that can’t be built up in five years…and I am not sure who is going to insure these land based fish farms,” – AXA XL Catlin’s global head of aquaculture…
Why I support responsible fish farming in Canada
‘The Election campaign promise to end ocean-based aquaculture is deeply concerning because it is harmful. It sets the seafood industry back and, ultimately, it could harm wild salmon.’ CommentaryBy Chef Ned Bell My name is Ned Bell, and I support…
Liberal election platform betrayal will destroy our livelihoods in the aquaculture industry
“If implemented, this campaign-promise means shutting down our aquaculture industry and throwing 7,000 British Columbians out of work, including us.” CommentaryBy Brad Rempel, Kenny Leslie and John Relyea-Voss The federal Liberals launched a surprise election promise recently to get salmon…
First Nation hails new salmon farming pact with Mowi
“Mowi has shown respect for our waters, and our people, we look forward to seeing sustainable salmon farming and processing continuing in our Territory”. – Chief Roxanne Robinson, Kitasoo/Xai’Xais First Nation. By SeaWestNews Mowi Canada West has entered into a…
Fish farms do not need to test for B.C. strain of virus
Decision follows an eight-month scientific review on the issue of transfer of live fish from land-based hatcheries to open-ocean net pens By SeaWestNews The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has determined that there is no need for testing of…