Cermaq and First Nations have published a statement this week regarding Joyce Murray's decision on salmon farming licenses in the Discovery Islands. British Columbia's three major salmon producers, Mowi Canada West, Grieg Seafood BC, and Cermaq Canada filed judicial review applications last week against Canadian Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and Coast Guard Joyce Murray's decision to not renew licenses for Discovery Islands salmon farms.
That same week Mowi and Grief Seafood spoke out with We Are Aquaculture explaining their positions. This week First Nation and Cermaq have released a statement detailing the controversy of this decision.
"Our industry's future appears increasingly dictated by out of touch Ottawa political priorities", stated Cermaq. "This should be a cause for grave concern for all Canadians in terms of economic stability, food security, and true climate change action."
The company explains that it is "disappointed" that again they have to go through the courts, instead of dialogue. "The Minister's decision not to renew Cermaq's aquaculture licenses, which are supported by the First Nations in whose core territories we operate, demonstrates her lack of understanding of our industry and the reputable science that underpins it," they explain.
For Cermaq, the Minister "stubbornly clings to a polarizing path versus a balanced approach". This decision represents a before and after for continuing to provide affordable food and jobs for rural coastal areas. They also believe that environmental stewardship and climate action without neglecting the conservation of wild salmon is possible.
Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, Cermaq is one of the world's leading producers of sustainable salmon and trout, with operations in Chile, Canada, and Norway. It holds 26 salmon farming licenses in British Columbia on both the east and west coasts of Vancouver Island.
