Stop extending fish farm licences

Wild salmon can’t wait. Remove open-net pens from B.C. waters

The federal government committed to transition British Columbia’s aquaculture sector from open-net pen fish farms by 2025. But now the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is considering extending fish farm licences for two to six years. Let’s hold the federal government to its promise — licences should not be extended for more than one year. Current consultations on fish farms ends March 8. Send your letter today!

Decades of research shows fish farms increase the risk of disease and parasites that adversely affect wild salmon. There’s no excuse to continue to allow open-net pens in B.C. coastal waters.

Please send a letter to Minister Lebouthillier and your member of Parliament asking them to keep their promise to get open-net pens out of B.C. waters by 2025.

Even if you’ve sent letters before, send a reminder. Without strong, continued support from people like you, government could waver on its commitment.

More than 100 B.C. First Nations, 75 per cent of British Columbians, the First Nations Leadership Council, environmental nonprofits, scientists, the Pacific Salmon Foundation, the Wilderness Tourism Association and the United Fishermen & Allied Workers’ Union want to remove open-net pens from B.C coastal waters. This is the moment to make sure Canada ends this threat to Pacific wild salmon as soon as possible.