Feds delay closure of B.C.'s open-net salmon farms until 2029 OTTAWA — The federal government is delaying the shutdown of open-net salmon farms off British Columbia's coast until 2029.
Canadian Press Jun 19, 2024 1:43 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message 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 federal government is expected to announce the way forward for fish farms along British Columbia's coast. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward OTTAWA — The federal government is delaying the shutdown of open-net salmon farms off British Columbia's coast until 2029.
The government had promised to phase out the farms by next year, but Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier says she will allow aquaculture farms to renew their licences in what is a "responsible, realistic and achievable transition" away from the ocean farms. The minister says while wild Pacific salmon are an iconic species that is important to First Nations, and commercial and recreational fishermen, aquaculture represents food security and it is surpassing wild fishing around the world. She says the government will soon introduce nine-year licences for closed containment salmon farm operations.
Lebouthillier has been consulting with many groups about the transition plan involving 79 salmon farms after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged durin.
