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…
Five new B.C. programs to enhance salmon habitat
“We’re taking steps to promote long-term and sustainable salmon runs in B.C.” – Lana Popham, BC Minister of Agriculture By SeaWestNews Five new Vancouver-based projects will get $2.7 million in government funding to restore and enhance salmon habitat to support…
A new approach for aquaculture in B.C.
“A sustainable aquaculture sector will provide safe, high-quality Canadian products to markets here at home and around the world.” By Jonathan WilkinsonMinister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Wild Pacific salmon are incredibly important to the people of…
Canada seeks experts for new aquaculture science committee
“A successful aquaculture industry is important for feeding the world’s growing demand for seafood products without putting more pressure on wild stocks” – Govt. Of Canada By SeaWestNews The Government of Canada today reaffirmed its commitment to implementing evidence based…
Sweeping closures in British Columbia for 2019 fishing season
New measures will be economically devastating for coastal communities and sports fishing industry By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Declaring it is time for bold action, the government today announced sweeping fishery closures across British Columbia to reverse the drastic decline of the…
Why the herring fishery was allowed in BC this year
‘Majority of the herring are left in the water for our chinook and our southern resident killer whales to eat.’ Guest CommentaryBy Jonathan Wilkinson Our ocean is a complex ecosystem, and Pacific herring are a vital food source for chinook…
“I know full well that salmon are more than just food”
Making the International Year of the Salmon a Turning Point CommentaryBy Jonathan WilkinsonMinister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard British Columbians are rightly concerned about the state of several wild Pacific salmon stocks. I share that concern. As…
New $142 million fund to enhance B.C. fisheries
Money will be used to leverage local Indigenous monitoring, guardianship programs and community-led habitat restoration efforts By SeaWestNews Ottawa and Victoria will pump $142.85 million over the next five years to support the protection of BC’s wild fisheries and enhance…
Claims by anti-fish farms activist not true says minister
Having more constructive discussions about aquaculture will require that we are forthright in our use of information, says Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson in an op-ed By SeaWestNews This op-ed by Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson was originally published in the Georgia…
So how do we farm salmon in the future?
New study will look at the impact of land-based and ocean-based closed-containment salmon farms in British Columbia, as well as offshore aquaculture production systems. By SeaWestNews A new study to provide viable technology options for salmon farming in British Columbia…
Scientists set sail to unlock salmon secrets
“We are all anxious to see and learn about the findings, so that we can better tackle the problems together,” John Paul Fraser, executive director of the B.C. Salmon Farmers. By Fabian DawsonSeaWestNews Berthed at Vancouver’s Ballantyne Pier under wintry…
Leadership by example to combat plastic pollution
More than 2,400 Fisheries and Oceans and Coast Guard employees pledge to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics By SeaWestNews More than 2,400 Fisheries and Oceans and Coast Guard employees have pledged to reduce their consumption of single-use plastics in…
Feds announce a special fund for wild Pacific salmon
BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund will focus on salmon habitat protection and restoration By Fabian Dawson SeaWestNews Ottawa will contribute more than $100 million over the next six years for a British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, Jonathan…
“I think this would be a shame for British Columbia”
Minister warns that B.C.’s polarized salmon farming debate threatens a viable and sustainable food source for the world By Fabian Dawson & Samantha McLeod SeaWestNews The polarized debate over fish farming in British Columbia is threatening a viable and sustainable…