Why Gen Z is a perfect fit in the fish farming industry
The ‘mess’ Gen Z is inheriting includes a financial landscape that is more a yoyo than a landscape, climate change disasters, and the lingering effects of COVID 19 Viewpoint by: Samantha Bacchus McLeod Generation Z, or Gen Z (born between…
Throwing Shade on the Colour of Salmon; The Truth Behind Astaxanthin
Instead of sourcing the Astaxanthin carotenoid from the wild, they opt for a lab produced version that is extracted from algae Viewpoint By: Samantha McLeod All salmon are white fleshed in their smolt days, and as they age they develop…
Pregnant and craving salmon?
Like all farmed foods, salmon farming is mandated by organisations set in place to protect our health British Columbia is a wonderful place to rear children, a place where they can breathe clean air, drink plenty of fresh water, a…
Salmon, it does a body good
Examples of oily fish include: Steelhead trout, which are farmed right here in British Columbia, and salmon, also farmed in BC. By Samantha Bacchus McLeodSeaWestNews Do you ever feel completely exhausted from having debates with people about the benefits of…
Why Atlantic Canada wants aquaculture to keep growing
“One need only go to the communities to talk to the people working in the sector and the business groups to see what aquaculture is bringing to their communities” CommentaryBy Jamie Baker A recent letter-writer asked a very important question:…
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…
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…
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…
Why our world needs salmon farmers
For a world struggling with food insecurity, salmon aquaculture is a beacon of hope and opportunity – a chance for us to act locally and increase food production globally. CommentaryBy Samantha McLeodPeopleTravelFood The war in Ukraine, the economic upheaval in Sri…
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.”…
Beyond the headlines of a not-so-secret salmon virus study
Key components of a report, which anti-salmon farming activists claim was hushed-up by government and the aquaculture industry, have been in the public domain for a decade AnalysisBy Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Over the past week, the anti-salmon farming lobby, led by…
Theatre of aquaculture absurdities set for 2022 season
“Every science denier cherry picks data, believes in conspiracy theories, engages in illogical reasoning, relies on fake experts and denigrates real experts.” If that sounds familiar in the context of activism against aquaculture in British Columbia, it is. CommentaryBy Fabian…
Make a ‘pledge’ to know us urge BC salmon farmers
Activism and the spread of misinformation about salmon farming – clearly meant to divide and polarize communities – poses an imminent threat to family supporting jobs primarily situated on Vancouver Island, election candidates told CommentaryBy John Paul Fraser As with…
Canada’s opportunity to seize the global seafood podium
Canada’s seafood sector ticks so many boxes: sustainable production, food security, low-carbon food, coastal community development, Indigenous reconciliation, science and innovation. Guest CommentaryBy Paul Lansbergen During the current federal election, Canadians will be discussing and debating the merits of voting…
Food Insecurity is a reality in BC yet we pretend not to see it
We need to spread awareness of the good food being grown in BC, of the massive opportunities available to us right now…before it is too late. CommentarySamantha McLeod Over the last few decades our relationship with food has been rapidly…
Aquaculture science and “social acceptability” according to Bernadette Jordan
Canada’s Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan distances herself from anti-salmon farm activist but her words ring hollow to First Nations and the coastal communities in BC, that depend on aquaculture. CommentaryBy Fabian Dawson Depending on which month it is, Canada’s Fisheries…
Trudeau faces aquaculture conundrum with Green New Deal
When it comes to aquaculture, especially salmon farming, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is speaking out of both sides of his mouth with a Green New Deal CommentaryBy Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is gearing up for an election with…
Ignorance spurs bullying in BC’s aquaculture industry
Why are those with the least knowledge of aquaculture making the most noise about salmon farms and bullying women in the industry? CommentaryBy Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews The old adage that empty vessels make the most noise seems to be a cherished…
Letter – Millennials in aquaculture worried about their futures
“The point of this letter is to inform you Prime Minister Trudeau and Team, that we millennials are worried about our futures, and the future of blue economy in BC. We care, we love our oceans, we love protecting wild…
Letter – Salmon farm ban needs a judicial review
Salmon Farm Ban – “It appears to me that her “social licence” was a purely political decision.” By SeaWestNews In making her sudden decision to phase out salmon farming in BC’s Discovery Islands, Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, ignored her deputy…
Beyond the decision to close salmon farms in the Discovery Islands
MP and husband hold celebratory dinner as North Vancouver Island reacts to the closure of salmon farms in the Discovery Islands, that will likely kill hundreds of jobs. CommentaryBy Fabian Dawson Hundreds of jobs, both directly and indirectly related to…
Fact checking the anti-fish farm fiction
“While anti-farming opponents rely on outdated and fabricated misinformation to spin their fiction, the world is moving ahead with sustainable salmon aquaculture” CommentaryBy John Paul Fraser An excerpt of a book written from an activist perspective about salmon farming that…
Why I support BC’s salmon farmers – Mayor, Port Hardy
“Critics should get up to speed on the leading-edge technology that modern salmon farmers are using, and the science that tells us farmed and wild salmon can co-exist.” Commentary By Dennis DugasMayor of Port Hardy My big-city counterparts ask me…
Ancient First Nations tongues support aquaculture science
The ancient tongues of many BC First Nations support scientific conclusions that state wild salmon returns vary on cycles and have nothing to do with aquaculture or salmon farms. CommentaryBy Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Some First Nations leaders, influenced by activists, are…
No sea lice violations at B.C. salmon farms, says DFO
This Canada Day, fact check the claims being made by a noisy few who threaten our food supply security CommentaryBy Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews More so than ever before, the COVID-19 pandemic is showing Canadians why we need to improve our access…
‘Sea lies’ plague fish farmers in Nova Scotia
“COVID-19 has shown us the importance of local food production and the essential role aquaculture plays.” CommentaryBy Tom Smith It is an unfortunate reality that fish farming has been the subject of sustained misinformation campaigns in recent months. What makes…
Destroying a fishery will not save Southern Resident Killer Whales
“Taking legal action to shut down a scientifically managed and authorized troll salmon fishery will do little or nothing for the endangered SRKW but will certainly economically damage family fishermen and their small coastal communities.” CommentaryBy Dr. Wally Pereyra In…