BC fisheries, aquaculture projects get clean tech boost
Over $5.4 million set aside for 36 fisheries and aquaculture projects to boost clean economic growth in British Columbia’s seafood industry By SeaWestNews Thirty six fisheries and aquaculture projects will get over $5.4 million in government funds to boost clean…
Court allows baby salmon transfer in Discovery Islands
“The only evidence before me is that today, salmon aquaculture in B.C. poses no more than a minimal risk to wild salmon” Federal Court Judge, Mr. Justice Panagiotis Pamel By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The Federal Court has ruled that fish farmers…
Court rejects Morton’s missive on BC fish farms
“Ms. Morton’s proposed affidavit contains untested hearsay evidence, contains improper opinion evidence under the guise of being factual evidence” on BC fish farms – Federal Court of Canada By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The Federal Court of Canada has rejected attempts by…
Canada slows as world grows with marine aquaculture
After proclaiming aquaculture is key to its post-pandemic economic recovery plans, Canada lags behind the rest of the world, as nations harness the Blue Economy by farming the oceans By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews From China to India, Europe, Australia and Africa…
Federal Court snubs First Nations in salmon farming dispute
In a disturbing ruling, the Federal court has rejected intervenor status by five First Nations in the Discovery Islands’ salmon farming dispute, opting to hear submissions from activists perpetuating the ‘Big Lie’ about aquaculture in BC. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The…
Quid-pro-quo poser in BC salmon farming ban
After ignoring her own scientists, Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan also rebuffed her deputy minister when deciding to ban salmon farming in BC’s Discovery Islands, an internal government document shows. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan’s hasty…
Canada launches ocean literacy plan while keeping salmon farmers in the dark
Three months after the devastating decision to close salmon farms in the Discovery Islands, Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s minister of jobs, economic recovery and innovation says he has not received any information about the plan from Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan By…
Mowi in court to stop mass salmon slaughter
Mowi Canada West files injunction to suspend Federal Government order that compels it to kill 12 million healthy salmon, which could provide 235 million meals. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The Federal government’s sudden decision to stop salmon farming in the waters…
Prize and prejudice in BC’s salmon aquaculture industry
First-ever BC Aquaculture Innovation Awards announced as salmon farmers challenge Federal order to shut down their operations in the Discovery Islands. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews From advanced ship technology to vaccine development and environmental monitoring of the seas, BC is a…
BC’s Blue Revolution with Jaramar Balmori-Cedeño
“No one should have to wonder what they will eat tomorrow. I took an oath in Veterinary school in Mexico, and to this day, I live by it.” By Samantha Bacchus McLeodSeaWestNews The newly unveiled Youth Council of the BC…
BC salmon farms shutdown will have devastating impacts
A new report lays bare widespread economic, human and animal welfare impacts that will result from shutting down salmon farms in BC’s Discovery Islands. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews BC’s salmon farmers will have to destroy 10.7 million young fish – the…
BC salmon farms decision attacked by aquaculture stakeholders
Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans announces new aquaculture engagement process as it defends decision to phase out salmon farms in BC’s Discovery Islands By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Canada has announced a series of online engagements for a plan to transition…
Canadian salmon farmers driving innovation in ocean aquaculture
New high-tech vessel joins aquaculture armada in BC as the government is schooled on the role of innovation and technology in the Canadian aquaculture industry. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews This month, another specially designed ship joins a small aquaculture armada that…
‘Dead Loss’ report on aquaculture is dead wrong
BC Premier John Horgan takes aim at federal aquaculture decision, as calls mount for anti-salmon farm activist groups to be held accountable for spreading false information By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Using guesstimates and fact-deficit analyses, a UK-based activist group named “Changing…
“What now Prime Minister”, ask aquaculture millennial leaders
Decision to phase out salmon farms in BC’s Discovery Islands is having a profound impact on young people, who once looked ahead to a long and positive career path in aquaculture By SeaWestNews “What about my mortgage?” “What about my…
Salmon farms key to Canada’s low carbon future
B.C. salmon farms emit only 2.2 kilograms of carbon dioxide for every kilogram of edible fish produced, not including the hot air by the anti-fish farm activists who want to shut them down. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The next time you…
Canada wants more input on new Aquaculture Act
DFO has received 22 formal submissions and held 27 virtual engagement sessions as it moves to streamline aquaculture regulations for the sustainable growth of Canada’s seafood farmers By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Canada is giving you more time to help it construct…
BC salmon farmers seek judicial reviews over aquaculture ban
Canadian Federation of Agriculture joins growing chorus of support for BC salmon farmers and urges government to review Discovery Islands aquaculture ban By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Mowi Canada West, Cermaq Canada and Grieg Seafood BC, which risk losing a significant part…
DFO “structurally and culturally” unable to oversee aquaculture
In the divisive debate over aquaculture in Canada, anti-fish farm activists and seafood farmers seem to agree on one issue – the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has to go By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Canada’s seafood farmers are calling for the…
Thinking small helps BC salmon farmer grow big
Technology to grow salmon on land on a large scale in BC is fraught with challenges and years away. So land-based salmon farmer, Steve Atkinson says he has another plan. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews In a wooded area off the main…
Fact checking Morton’s diatribe about BC salmon farms
In a rambling conspiracy-laden letter, anti-salmon farm activist Alexandra Morton, accuses Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans of being a criminal organisation By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews BC’s loudest anti-salmon farm activist has ratcheted up her conspiracy-laden rants accusing Canada’s Department of…
BC salmon farm closures trigger “ghost town” fears
About 700 businesses in North Vancouver Island will be impacted by salmon farm closures in the Discovery Islands, says an independent economic recovery taskforce By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Every summer during the third weekend in July, the people of Port Hardy…
Discovery Islands’ salmon farm closures will kill 1,498 jobs
Initial industry estimate pegs economic loss in North Vancouver Island’s coastal communities, dependent on salmon farms, at $379.7 million By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The closure of salmon farms in the Discovery Islands of BC will result in 1,498 people losing their…
Social licence trumps science in Discovery Islands’ salmon farming decision
But it does not mean First Nations have veto powers over salmon farming operations in their traditional territories, says Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans By Fabian Dawson and Samantha McLeodSeaWestNews The decision to stop salmon farming in the…
BC salmon farms in Discovery Islands to go
Decision on Discovery Islands’ salmon farms more about social licence to operate in the area rather than sound science. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Salmon farms in the contentious Discovery Islands of British Columbia will be phased out over the next 18…
Salmon farmers “care deeply about our coastal waters” says NDP MP
Vancouver Island MP Gord Johns also hails BC salmon farmers’ commitment to coastal communities at parliamentary inquiry By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Vancouver Island MP Gord Johns told a parliamentary inquiry yesterday that BC’s salmon farmers and the people who work for…
What’s killing the killer whales in the Pacific
New report provides a look at the multitude of human and environmental threats affecting killer whales By SeaWestNews Orcas face a variety of mortal threats, many stemming from human interactions, states a new study which analysed the pathology reports on…
Vancouver Island ready to grow with salmon farmers
Community support grows for BC’s salmon farmers as mayors and businesses call for their voices to be heard at the aquaculture-decision making tables. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Four Vancouver Island mayors and scores of businesses have thrown their support behind BC…
Hear our voices on natural resources say 21 BC mayors
In an open letter to NDP leader John Horgan, 21 BC mayors call for quick approvals of shovel-ready projects involving the aquaculture, forestry, mining and energy sectors By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Twenty-one mayors from natural resource reliant communities in BC, including…
Burping cows breathe new life into aquaculture for BC
Seaweed farming, especially near ocean aquaculture sites, can help British Columbia be a low-carbon producer of choice for seafood, milk and beef By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The BC government aims to show climate leadership with a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse…