September 30 deadline for fish farms out of Discovery Islands

May 15, 2020

By: Meghan Rooney

September 30, 2020 is the deadline for removing all fish farms from the Discovery Islands, near Campbell River according to the 19th recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River.

What is the Cohen Inquiry?

The Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River was headed by Justice Bruce Cohen, took over two years to complete and in 2012 culminated in an 1100 page final report and 75 recommendations. The entire inquiry cost taxpayers over $37 million.

The recommendations are pragmatic and wide-ranging; covering habitat protection, salmon farming, hatchery management, fisheries management, government accountability and more.

What is the 19th recommendation?

Recommendation 19 – On September 30, 2020, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans should prohibit net-pen salmon farming in the Discovery Islands (fish health sub-zone 3-2) unless he or she is satisfied that such farms pose at most a minimal risk of serious harm to the health of migrating Fraser River sockeye salmon. The Minister’s decision should summarize the information relied on and include detailed reasons. The decision should be published on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ website.

We have the evidence

We already have plenty of scientific evidence  that shows parasites and diseases from salmon farms threaten wild fish. Period.

A scientific article, “Risk and Precaution: Salmon Farming,” was published in the journal Marine Policy in December 2016. It concludes that salmon farms in the region of concern present greater than minimal risk of serious harm and that the farms in the Discovery Islands should be removed.

Other studies have shown that juvenile sockeye have elevated parasite loads after they pass by  fish farms in the Discovery Islands. Subsequently, more research has shown that these parasites can impede juvenile sockeye growth, which probably affects their survival. 

What to do about it?

To date, we have not heard any confirmation of the removal of the Discovery Islands farms. Factory fish farms would love it if everyone forgot about this upcoming deadline, but we are keeping a close eye on the situation. 

You can help by sending an email to your MP today, telling them to ensure the removal of fish farms from the Discovery Islands before the September 30, 2020 deadline. (Your email takes just a minute or two using our one-click online letter writing tool.)

You can also help us show decision-makers that British Columbians want our wild salmon protected from the risks of open-net pen fish farms by signing and sharing our Safe Passage petition.

Share This Story!

September 30 deadline for fish farms out of Discovery Islands

May 15, 2020

By: Meghan Rooney

September 30, 2020 is the deadline for removing all fish farms from the Discovery Islands, near Campbell River according to the 19th recommendation of the Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River.

What is the Cohen Inquiry?

The Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River was headed by Justice Bruce Cohen, took over two years to complete and in 2012 culminated in an 1100 page final report and 75 recommendations. The entire inquiry cost taxpayers over $37 million.

The recommendations are pragmatic and wide-ranging; covering habitat protection, salmon farming, hatchery management, fisheries management, government accountability and more.

What is the 19th recommendation?

Recommendation 19 – On September 30, 2020, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans should prohibit net-pen salmon farming in the Discovery Islands (fish health sub-zone 3-2) unless he or she is satisfied that such farms pose at most a minimal risk of serious harm to the health of migrating Fraser River sockeye salmon. The Minister’s decision should summarize the information relied on and include detailed reasons. The decision should be published on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ website.

We have the evidence

We already have plenty of scientific evidence  that shows parasites and diseases from salmon farms threaten wild fish. Period.

A scientific article, “Risk and Precaution: Salmon Farming,” was published in the journal Marine Policy in December 2016. It concludes that salmon farms in the region of concern present greater than minimal risk of serious harm and that the farms in the Discovery Islands should be removed.

Other studies have shown that juvenile sockeye have elevated parasite loads after they pass by  fish farms in the Discovery Islands. Subsequently, more research has shown that these parasites can impede juvenile sockeye growth, which probably affects their survival. 

What to do about it?

To date, we have not heard any confirmation of the removal of the Discovery Islands farms. Factory fish farms would love it if everyone forgot about this upcoming deadline, but we are keeping a close eye on the situation. 

You can help by sending an email to your MP today, telling them to ensure the removal of fish farms from the Discovery Islands before the September 30, 2020 deadline. (Your email takes just a minute or two using our one-click online letter writing tool.)

You can also help us show decision-makers that British Columbians want our wild salmon protected from the risks of open-net pen fish farms by signing and sharing our Safe Passage petition.

Share This Story!

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5 Comments

  1. Ken Pearce May 16, 2020 at 7:46 am - Reply

    again, more lies by Trudeau. He openly stated that the liberals would adhere 100% to the Cohen report.

  2. Gilbert l May 20, 2020 at 10:34 pm - Reply

    How much is the environmental tax being paid in bc.From the dirty fish farm business No one talks about it.The fish farm industry needs to be put on land.With a water treatment plant.

  3. Sandra Slobodian May 26, 2020 at 10:07 pm - Reply

    This must happen.

  4. Robyn Robinson June 14, 2020 at 1:39 am - Reply

    Save our wild – get the fish farms out !

  5. Jackie niblock June 14, 2020 at 6:15 am - Reply

    Clean up our water for nature to thrive.

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