Canada's Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Coast Guard, Joyce Murray, traveled to Norway and Iceland from March 30 to April 5 to learn about the land-based aquaculture model of both countries. This trip can be categorized as controversial due to the Canadian licensing situation in the Discovery Islands.
During the visit, Murray met with senior government officials from Norway and Iceland. She has also met with the CEOs of major Norwegian salmon companies, the Icelandic Ocean Cluster, and related members of the industry. Murray's purpose is to investigate the ultimate sustainable alternatives in aquaculture production.
"By working together and sharing best practices, we can make sure that we are managing the oceans in the most environmentally and climate-conscious way possible," she said.
The Canadian government specified that this plan is especially important because of the Minister's objective, which would be to "develops a plan for transitioning away from open-net pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia."
Thereby the minister continues taking steps forward on the 15 not-renewing licenses which in the Discovery Islands to companies such as Mowi, Grieg and Cermaq. For the moment, the decision will be made through the courts, following applications for judicial review filed by the companies as well as First Nations against the Canadian minister's decision.