Community spirit shines at salmon farmers summer BBQ

“We are truly honoured that so many came to support the Food Bank, learn more about us, and enjoy some delicious locally farmed salmon,” – Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA)

By SeaWestNews

B.C.’s salmon farmers showcased their commitment to the people of Campbell River recently at a community appreciation BBQ which attracted about 700 people and raised closed to $5,000 for the local food bank.

The event held at the Robert V. Ostler Park in Campbell River, which prides itself as being the “Salmon Capital of the World”, served as a platform for the salmon farming sector to express gratitude to the local residents and promote awareness of its significance to the economy and food security in the region.

“It was a surprise when we began hearing from the chefs that we might run out of salmon…we are truly honoured that so many came to support the Food Bank, learn more about us, and enjoy some delicious locally farmed salmon,” said Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA)

“We are also incredibly grateful to the numerous local businesses that donated their time and resources to help make the BBQ a success,” he said.

The event featured a variety of engagement stations, including a Virtual Reality tour of a salmon farm, an Ask Us Anything booth, a Kid’s Zone with crafts and a bouncy castle, a Photo Booth, an Aqua Guardians Station in collaboration with the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, and a First Nations-Led Salmon Farming booth presented by the Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship.

The Campbell River Food Bank was also present, collecting cash donations and volunteering their time to help serve salmon, salads and cold drinks.

“Donations tend to decrease during this time of year, and these funds will be used to purchase fresh produce, meat, and dairy for our neighbours in need,” said Joanne Watson, Executive Director of the Campbell River Food Bank.

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who came together to make this event an incredible success. We can only continue our important work thanks to the generous support of our community,” she said.

Susan Sinnott, a local councillor, said the City of Campbell River supports the BC salmon farming sector and will continue to do so.

“The livability of our city depends on the vibrancy of our first-dollar industries, and we aim to work collaboratively to ensure our citizens remain engaged, said Sinnott, adding that salmon farming is a “vital economic generator” for Campbell River.

The BBQ was more than just an event; it was a rallying point for a community facing an uncertain future, which is expected to be hard hit following the Liberal Government’s decision to end open-net salmon farms in BC after 2029.

This proposed ban, pushed for by anti-fish farming activists mostly from urban centres,  flies in the face of 10 government studies and a plethora of other research which continue to show that current ocean salmon farms pose no more than minimal risk to wild Pacific stocks.

Federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier has promised a transition plan for the sector, which will involve moving the open-net farms to close-containment facilities in water and on-land.

The Campbell River Business Recovery Taskforce, comprised of community and business leaders, estimated the annual spending by fish farmers on supplies and services via local businesses and vendors at $132.65 million.

A report from the taskforce said salmon farming companies employ 572 people in the community, affording salaries and wages of about $14.91 million annually while purchasing supplies and services from 680 vendors in the region.

Here are some images and a video from a day filled with good food, great company, and a shared commitment to helping those in need.