Fish Farms

A now closed fish farm within B.C.’s Discovery Islands region. Photo courtesy Sheri Beaulieu/Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

Federal decision on controversial B.C. fish farms expected

Simultaneous announcements scheduled in Vancouver and Ottawa over future of industry

 

An Atlantic salmon is seen during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at a fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward

Looming aquaculture plan’s uncertainty ‘unjust and unfair’: B.C. industry

Fish farmers calling for 6-year license renewals to supply more security

 

A screenshot taken from November 2023 whistleblower footage at Northern Divine Aquafarms in Sechelt shows a worker using a kind of straw to suck caviar out of a fish. (Photo courtesy of Animal Justice)

Whistleblower video raises concerns about fish welfare at B.C. caviar farm

No violations found during site visit, but BC SPCA and DFO reviewing hundreds of hours of footage

 

A salmon conservation group is raising concerns about reported increases in wild fish deaths, primarily herring, in British Columbia’s open-net fish farms. An Atlantic salmon is seen during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at a fish farm near Campbell River, B.C., Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward

Watchdog raises alarm over wild fish death spike near B.C. fish farms

Herring primary victims of surge revealed in DFO data

A salmon conservation group is raising concerns about reported increases in wild fish deaths, primarily herring, in British Columbia’s open-net fish farms. An Atlantic salmon is seen during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at a fish farm near Campbell River, B.C., Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward
Bob Chamberlin, Chair of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance, speaks during a press conference n Parliament Hill in Ottawa advocating for transition of open-net fish farms out of B.C. waters on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

B.C. Indigenous leaders don’t want to let feds off the hook on fish farms

Coalition urging Ottawa to stand firm on decision to step away from open net pens by 2025

Bob Chamberlin, Chair of the First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance, speaks during a press conference n Parliament Hill in Ottawa advocating for transition of open-net fish farms out of B.C. waters on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
Former federal fisheries ministers Joyce Murray (above) and Bernadette Jordan are being sued by Mowi, an international fish farm company, for the federal government’s decision to close sites in the Discovery Islands. File photo by IMPAC5

Global fish farm giant Mowi suing Canada for Discovery Islands closures

Mowi’s claim alleges federal decision ‘wiped out 30 per cent’ of its business

  • Oct 12, 2023
Former federal fisheries ministers Joyce Murray (above) and Bernadette Jordan are being sued by Mowi, an international fish farm company, for the federal government’s decision to close sites in the Discovery Islands. File photo by IMPAC5
A fish farm in Laich-Kwil-Tach territory. File Photo Courtesy Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship

B.C. First Nations coalition seeks to join case to support fish farm closures

Coalition of 19 nations says they have an obligation to protect wild salmon

A fish farm in Laich-Kwil-Tach territory. File Photo Courtesy Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship
Noctiluca scintillans, also known as red tide algae blooms, were spotted midway along the Patricia Bay beach walking path in North Saanich. (Photo of Courtesy of Frank Towler)

Poisonous algae bloom sparks ban on shellfish harvesting near Victoria

If the contaminated shellfish are eaten by humans there could be fatal side effects

Noctiluca scintillans, also known as red tide algae blooms, were spotted midway along the Patricia Bay beach walking path in North Saanich. (Photo of Courtesy of Frank Towler)
A fish farm in Laich-Kwil-Tach territory. First nations elected Chief says that the judicial review of the DFO’s decision to shutter farms in the Discovery Islands territory could have economic impacts for his people. Photo Courtesy Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship

First Nations Leadership Council asks Trudeau for direct role in fisheries decisions

Open letter points out “systemic issues” within direction at DFO in wake of Parliamentary report

  • Apr 21, 2023
A fish farm in Laich-Kwil-Tach territory. First nations elected Chief says that the judicial review of the DFO’s decision to shutter farms in the Discovery Islands territory could have economic impacts for his people. Photo Courtesy Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship
Angler and fishing guide Pat Demeester holds an abnormally large and invasive farmed rainbow trout that has escaped into Lois Lake near Powell River, B.C. (Photo courtesy Pat Demeester)

‘Shockingly huge’ steelhead salmon escape fish farm, threatening B.C. lake

Massive farmed fishing threatening the food web of a Powell River lake

  • Apr 18, 2023
Angler and fishing guide Pat Demeester holds an abnormally large and invasive farmed rainbow trout that has escaped into Lois Lake near Powell River, B.C. (Photo courtesy Pat Demeester)
An Atlantic salmon is seen collected for samples from during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward

B.C. salmon farm closure decision was necessary, says DFO amid court challenges

DFO: recent science suggests uncertainty about risks posed to wild salmon by the area’s farms

An Atlantic salmon is seen collected for samples from during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward
Seafood companies Cermaq, Grieg Seafood, and MOWI Canada West have filed an application to review DFO’s decision to close the Fish Farms in the Discovery Islands last month. (Photo courtesy Grieg Seafood BC)

B.C. First Nation, aquaculture companies challenge Discovery Island fish farm closures in court

Feds made the announcement to close fish farms in Discovery Island region last month

Seafood companies Cermaq, Grieg Seafood, and MOWI Canada West have filed an application to review DFO’s decision to close the Fish Farms in the Discovery Islands last month. (Photo courtesy Grieg Seafood BC)
Black Press file photo

Fisheries and Oceans Canada faces deluge of calls to improve ‘suspect’ science

Report yields 49 recommendations to address concerns about how DFO science presented

  • Mar 17, 2023
Black Press file photo
From left to right: Dallas Smith, spokesperson for the Coalition and Tlowitsis Nation, Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray and Chief Chris Roberts of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation. (Supplied photo)

First Nations coalition urges Ottawa to stop closing salmon farms where they’re wanted

Coastal group says rights and title, food affordability and jobs impacted, want minister replaced

  • Mar 10, 2023
From left to right: Dallas Smith, spokesperson for the Coalition and Tlowitsis Nation, Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray and Chief Chris Roberts of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation. (Supplied photo)
Mowi Canada West salmon farm. (Mowi photo)

B.C. First Nations reject continued fish farming in the Broughton Archipelago

Three First Nations announce their call on region’s last 7 fish farms through consent-based processes

Mowi Canada West salmon farm. (Mowi photo)
Mowi Canada West salmon farm. (Mowi photo)

Discovery Islands salmon farm closure confirmation sends waves across B.C. coast

Activists celebrate, while seafood companies mull over future with regards to “devastating” decision

Mowi Canada West salmon farm. (Mowi photo)
Aquatic science biologist Shawn Stenhouse releases a Atlantic salmon back into its tank during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. A Liberal promise to transition salmon farms in British Columbia from ocean net pens to closed containment systems in just over five years is being slammed as careless by the aquaculture industry but applauded by a wild salmon advocate who says the sooner the better. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward

Fisheries Department to shut 15 salmon farms off B.C.’s coast to protect wild fish

Canada will not renew licences for 15 open-net Atlantic salmon farms around the Discovery Islands

Aquatic science biologist Shawn Stenhouse releases a Atlantic salmon back into its tank during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. A Liberal promise to transition salmon farms in British Columbia from ocean net pens to closed containment systems in just over five years is being slammed as careless by the aquaculture industry but applauded by a wild salmon advocate who says the sooner the better. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward
FILE - Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, which involve moving the fish farm to land as opposed to an open net fish farm, is one possible future for the aquaculture industry in British Columbia. This photo, of a boat and crane situated next to a collapsed “net pen” by Cooke Seafood off the coast of Cypress Island in Washington State in 2017, came when a net failure allowed tens of thousands of nonnative fish to escape. The incident resulted in a nearly $600,000 settlement to the Lummi Indian tribe over the net collapse and damage done to the native salmon population, and prompted the state government to end the practice of fish farming nonnative fish. regarding File Photo David Bergvall Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources via AP

B.C. aquaculture fishing for new answers as it faces its murky future in 2023

All eyes are focused on the DFO’s next move as industry looks at new systems

FILE - Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, which involve moving the fish farm to land as opposed to an open net fish farm, is one possible future for the aquaculture industry in British Columbia. This photo, of a boat and crane situated next to a collapsed “net pen” by Cooke Seafood off the coast of Cypress Island in Washington State in 2017, came when a net failure allowed tens of thousands of nonnative fish to escape. The incident resulted in a nearly $600,000 settlement to the Lummi Indian tribe over the net collapse and damage done to the native salmon population, and prompted the state government to end the practice of fish farming nonnative fish. regarding File Photo David Bergvall Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources via AP
Bear and Tiger being rescued from Minstrel Island. (Dalynn St Pierre Facebook photo)

Fish farm workers rescue 2 dogs found hungry and alone on remote B.C. island

MOWI employees gain trust of 2 emaciated dogs from remote Minstrel Island, get them to care

Bear and Tiger being rescued from Minstrel Island. (Dalynn St Pierre Facebook photo)
Aquatic science biologist Howie Manchester picks a salmon to collect samples from during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward

Sea lice numbers not necessarily influenced by salmon farms: industry studies

New data suggests sea lice levels trend up or down; Activists are skeptical

Aquatic science biologist Howie Manchester picks a salmon to collect samples from during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward