Salmon farming opponents head back to court, again
Salmon farmers in British Columbia reiterate that they will continue to grow affordable healthy food in partnership with First Nations as another court challenge emerges.
By SeaWestNews
Two First Nations which oppose ocean-based salmon farms in British Columbia, are once again heading to court to attack a sustainable food production sector that supports thousands of families in their neighbouring coastal communities.
The Namgis and Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis First Nations, announced today that they have filed for judicial reviews of the Federal government’s decision to allow the salmon farms to operate until 2029, pending a transition process.
They claim the government did not consult with them adequately when renewing the leases for the 14 salmon farms, three of which are operated by Grieg Seafood and the rest by Mowi Canada West.
According to a report by the Canadian Press, the Namgis claim fish stocks of pink, coho, chinook and sockeye salmon have become “severely depleted,” prompting the nation to stop fishing for those stocks in the Nimpkish River, build a hatchery and start a pilot project for a land-based fish farm facility.
Ironically, records show that the Namgis began planning for their Nimpkish hatchery in 1978, at least a decade before the advent of salmon farming in the area, which they now blame for the dwindling wild stocks.
The Namgis application also says the licence renewals for another five years “creates a direct risk to the survival of wild Pacific salmon” and the nation’s ability to continue exercising its Aboriginal right to fish.
It is particularly incensed that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has accepted 10 studies from the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) that show salmon farms in BC pose less than a minimal risk to wild stocks.
The Namgis, supported by urban-based anti-fish farm activists, have often accused government scientists and DFO officials of being influenced by industry pressures, especially when the scientific studies produce results that do not support their agenda.
The Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation’s application says the federal government made the decision to licence the fish farms without proper consultation.
“For consultation to be meaningful, a decision-maker must engage in consultation efforts in good faith and with an open mind,” the application says. “A consultation process that provides no opportunity to inform or change the course of the decision is merely an opportunity to ‘blow off steam.”
The legal challenges come as the Federal Government is preparing to release details of a transition plan for the sector after announcing last month that it will ban open-net salmon farming in B.C. after 2029.
The transition plan expected by the end of this month, will involve moving the open-net farms to close-containment facilities in water and on-land.
BC salmon farmers generate over $1.142 billion of direct economic activity annually supporting over 6,000 jobs mainly in the provinces coastal indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
The Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship, which is fighting to retain its traditional rights to grow fish, said salmon farming in BC directly and indirectly employs over 700 Indigenous people and provides $120 million in total annual economic benefits to First Nations, with $42 million going directly to Indigenous communities.
Today, 100 per cent of BC’s farmed salmon is raised in agreement with Rights Holder First Nations, said Brian Kingzett, executive director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA)
“Our sector has consistently stated that we will not farm where we do not have consent, and we have stayed true to that commitment,” said Kingzett.
“With the support of the Nations in whose territories we operate, the BC salmon farming sector has repeatedly presented practical, realistic, and responsible plans to further reduce potential risks to wild Pacific salmon, which demonstrate our willingness to invest in innovation.”
Kingzett said federal, independent, and sector-led data and studies continue to show that current ocean salmon farms pose no more than minimal risk to wild Pacific salmon.
“The recently released 500- page “Modern Salmon Farming in BC: A Review” document comprehensively summarizes these studies and data,” he said.
A Mowi Canada West spokesperson said the company is committed to reconciliation, and that it has agreements in place with each of the First Nations in whose territory it operates.
“The filing of a judicial review of our licences does not change our position that a successful transition must be led by the rights holder Nations; science based; sustainable and provide certainty to the salmon farming and supplier sectors, and rural coastal communities,” he said in a statement.
“We will continue to grow affordable healthy food for Canadians and contribute to the economy as part of BC’s largest agricultural export while this matter is before the Courts.”
Grieg Seafood BC said the Judicial Review applications involves three of its farms – Noo-la, Wa-kwa, and Tsa-ya – located in the traditional territory of the Tlowitsis First Nation.
Grieg Seafood and the Tlowitsis First Nation have been salmon farming in partnership for more than a decade, the company said.
(Image shows a Grieg Seafood salmon farm in BC)