Cermaq Canada operation in Ahousaht Territory, west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Photo: Cermaq.
In a statement issued after Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney this week appointed his Ministry for the term now beginning, BC salmon farmers - who said they were encouraged by the announcement of the continuation of Joanne Thompson as Minister of Fisheries - called on the new government to rescind the ban on open-net aquaculture by 2029 imposed by the previous administration.
"Under the previous government, our sector faced significant uncertainty, which resulted in a 45% decline in production. Today's announcement marks a positive step forward in Prime Minister Carney's focus on driving economic development," the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) said.
In addition to being "a vital, affordable, low-carbon protein source," salmon farming contributes CAD 1.17 billion in annual economic output and supports 4,560 full-time jobs in British Columbia, many of them in coastal communities on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
Therefore, as it has been doing for years, the BCSFA called on the new government for a revised policy direction developed in true partnership with the Rights Holder First Nations.
"If a clear signal is provided that there is a future for salmon farming in BC, including rescinding the ban on marine net pens by 2029, our sector stands ready to invest, innovate, and grow, while continuing to respect the lands and waters where we operate," BC salmon farmers claimed.
With that certainty, the BC Salmon Farmers Association stated, British Columbia's salmon farming sector has the potential to deliver CAD 2.5 billion in annual economic output, CAD 930 million in GDP, 9,000 jobs, and CAD 560 million in wages by 2030, and grow to CAD 4.2 billion in annual economic output by 2040.
It is not only the BCSFA that sees these possibilities. According to a recent report by Canada's Ocean Supercluster, the blue bioeconomy and, more specifically, aquaculture could be the solution for job creation and economic security in Canada.
As far as British Columbia is concerned, BC salmon farmers are ready to make it happen. "We look forward to working with Minister Thompson to build a future for sustainable salmon farming in BC that benefits all Canadians," the statement concluded.
