Call your MP to support B.C. aquaculture transition

Photo: Tavish Campbell

Defend wild salmon. Remove salmon farms from B.C. waters by 2029.

The science is clear: B.C.’s open-net pen salmon aquaculture industry harms wild salmon. The federal government has committed to removing open-net pen salmon aquaculture from B.C.’s waters by 2029.

However, the industry is lobbying government to weaken this commitment. If the government backslides on its commitment, wild salmon stand to lose.

As the government navigates this uniquely complex and challenging international political climate, it needs to hear from defenders of B.C.’s wild salmon. It can’t forget the importance of wild salmon to B.C.’s coastal communities, First Nations and marine ecosystems.

Call your MP to tell them you expect the government to follow through on its 2029 commitment, and that it’s time to release a salmon aquaculture transition plan that will protect wild salmon and advance reconciliation.

Some talking points to think about while you’re on your call:

  • Wild salmon are the lifeblood of B.C.’s coast, providing sustenance to countless species from the open ocean through the “salmon forests” and into the interior; supporting food security and jobs throughout coastal communities and occupying positions of irreplaceable importance for First Nations’ food, social and ceremonial relationships;
  • The science is clear that B.C.’s open net-pen salmon aquaculture industry harms wild salmon;
  • The basic idea of open-net pen aquaculture is that the private company gets to sell the fish that it grows while the ocean has to deal with the parasites, wastes and pathogens that result;
  • Therefore, I’m firmly opposed to open-net pen salmon aquaculture in B.C., and I fully support the government’s commitment to remove open-net pen salmon farms from B.C.’s waters by 2029;
  • I have read news reports that the government is being lobbied to reverse its 2029 commitment by the Norway- and Japan-based open-net pen salmon aquaculture industry;
  • Rather than reverse the 2029 commitment, the government should take the next steps to achieve it, while providing clarity to the industry and coastal communities by releasing its final salmon aquaculture transition plan;
  • This plan should support reconciliation;
  • If the government wants to support salmon aquaculture, it should look to closed-containment systems on land to ensure that wild salmon cannot be exposed to its wastes, pathogens and parasites;
  • The threats and pressures facing wild salmon are increasing with climate change. We cannot directly control all of these threats, but we can control one by removing open-net pen salmon farms from B.C.’s waters by 2029;
  • Therefore, I urge you to support the release of a transition plan that will advance reconciliation while achieving removal of open-net pen salmon farms from B.C. waters by 2029;
  • I hope you will convey your support for wild salmon and the government’s 2029 commitment to the prime minister.

 

Loading...