The harm factory fish farms have caused wild salmon and coastal ecosystems is immeasurable. While we welcome the recent federal decision to ban open net-pen salmon farms from B.C.’s coastal waters, we believe the ban should be implemented immediately rather than delayed until 2029.
We know the salmon farming industry is lobbying hard for any wiggle room in the ban.
But if the open net-pen transition must include fish farming, it should be land-based closed containment aquaculture, where risks to wild fish and ecosystems are minimized. Any in-water system risks exchanging water with the surrounding environment, making the release of waste, parasites, viruses, and bacteria unavoidable. This is something we must prevent at all costs. Protecting B.C.’s natural wealth is essential at this time when many wild salmon populations are in trouble.
Although open net-pen salmon farms can’t get new or renewed licences moving forward, we are concerned by the federal government’s openness to granting 9-year licenses for marine-based closed containment fish farms without clearly defining what “closed containment” means.
To date, no full-scale ocean-based closed containment salmon farms have successfully grown out full-size fish. B.C.’s coastal waters should not become a testing ground for unproven technologies that may harm fish, wildlife, and our coastal waters.
The harm factory fish farms have caused wild salmon and coastal ecosystems is immeasurable. While we welcome the recent federal decision to ban open net-pen salmon farms from B.C.’s coastal waters, we believe the ban should be implemented immediately rather than delayed until 2029.
We know the salmon farming industry is lobbying hard for any wiggle room in the ban.
But if the open net-pen transition must include fish farming, it should be land-based closed containment aquaculture, where risks to wild fish and ecosystems are minimized. Any in-water system risks exchanging water with the surrounding environment, making the release of waste, parasites, viruses, and bacteria unavoidable. This is something we must prevent at all costs. Protecting B.C.’s natural wealth is essential at this time when many wild salmon populations are in trouble.
Although open net-pen salmon farms can’t get new or renewed licences moving forward, we are concerned by the federal government’s openness to granting 9-year licenses for marine-based closed containment fish farms without clearly defining what “closed containment” means.
To date, no full-scale ocean-based closed containment salmon farms have successfully grown out full-size fish. B.C.’s coastal waters should not become a testing ground for unproven technologies that may harm fish, wildlife, and our coastal waters.
Agrimarine’s History: A Failed Experiment in B.C. Waters
Agrimarine’s History: A Failed Experiment in B.C. Waters
Agrimarine Middle Bay Closed Containment farm circa 2011.
The track record of marine “closed containment” in B.C. offers a cautionary tale. Agrimarine’s failed experiments illustrate the risks:
2009 – Agrimarine, based in Vancouver, spends seven years developing a floating, solid-wall system to raise Pacific salmon in Campbell River.
2011 – The company acquired Middle Bay Properties in Campbell River for their closed containment fish farm.
2012 – A storm with winds over 130 km/h damaged Agrimarine’s floating closed-containment system. The company harvested its first crop of chinook salmon soon after the damage.
2013 – Agrimarine permanently shut down its Middle Bay site and announced plans to acquire a lake-based net-pen farm company known as West Coast Fish Culture.
2014 – Agrimarine uses semi-closed containment in Lois Lake, near Powell River, to grow rainbow trout, which are marketed as steelhead.
Lois lake farm fish packaged April 3 2023
Lois lake farm fish packaged April 3 2023
2023 – Agrimarine allegedly reported to be operating their semi-closed containment fish farm in Lois Lake illegally. The company allegedly was operating in an area of the lake outside their valid licenced tenure. Large numbers of abnormally large domesticated rainbow trout were reported to have escaped, threatening native species.
2023 – Agrimarine allegedly reported to be operating their semi-closed containment fish farm in Lois Lake illegally. The company allegedly was operating in an area of the lake outside their valid licenced tenure. Large numbers of abnormally large domesticated rainbow trout were reported to have escaped, threatening native species.
Pat Demeester with Agrimarine rainbow trout escape in Lois Lake.
Pat Demeester with Agrimarine rainbow trout escape in Lois Lake.
2024 – Agrimarine was fined $350,000 for illegal operations in Lois Lake and ordered to remove its equipment by September 2025. The farm, though still located in the lake, has been empty of fish for months.
2024 – Agrimarine was fined $350,000 for illegal operations in Lois Lake and ordered to remove its equipment by September 2025. The farm, though still located in the lake, has been empty of fish for months.
Agrimarine semi-closed facility outside its provincial licence area
Agrimarine semi-closed facility outside its provincial licence area
Agrimarine’s consistent failures and disregard for regulations highlight the broader environmental risks of closed containment fish farming in marine waters. The federal government should reconsider any plans they may have to issue long-term licenses for marine-based closed containment systems. These operations have proven to be risky, and B.C.’s waters should not be subjected to further experiments.
Agrimarine’s consistent failures and disregard for regulations highlight the broader environmental risks of closed containment fish farming in marine waters. The federal government should reconsider any plans they may have to issue long-term licenses for marine-based closed containment systems. These operations have proven to be risky, and B.C.’s waters should not be subjected to further experiments.