Latest Developments

Update on Developments Regarding Finfish Aquaculture 

One aspect of the work of the SOS Marine Conservation Foundation is to provide ease of public access to education materials regarding salmon aquaculture. This aids public participation in informed decision-making around salmon farming and allows members of the public to determine when they may want to seek more information and/or provide feedback to government representatives such as Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly of BC.

See the following for developments on:

  1. Lifting the moratorium and accepting applications for expansion of open net fish farms in BC being lifted (other than in the Discovery Islands) - includes SOS comment on 3 applications for expansion in the Broughton Archipelago
  2. Cohen Commission into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River - includes the Environmental Petitions that SOS and WWSS have filed with the Auditor General regarding lapsed deadlines and inaction on Cohen recommendations
  3. Genome BC Study into Salmon Health - first reporting of results for microbes in farmed, hatchery and wild salmon anticipated in September
  4. Land-based closed containment for Atlantic salmon   


1.     Lifting of the moratorium on expansion of open net fish farms in BC (other than in the Discovery Islands)

Status: 

  • There was no public announcement of the Federal Government's decision to lift the moratorium on expansion of open net fish farms in BC. A January 16, 2014 Vancouver Sun news story led to public awareness that the moratorium on expansion put in place for the BC Coast during the Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of the Fraser River Sockeye had been lifted by the Federal Government for all parts of British Columbia except the Discovery Islands. 
  • As set out in the above media reference, DFO is "reviewing nine applications to expand production at existing sites and two new sites, for a total increase of 16,640 tonnes of capacity." 
  • The first expansion applications are now under review by the Province of BC (land tenures) and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (aquaculture licences). 
  •  There was an opportunity to provide public comment up to February 9th, 2014 on 3 licence applications in the Broughton Archipelago that involved Provincial land tenure applications. Details of these applications can be found in the SOS submission to the Province of BC found here.  

SOS Action:

  • Monitoring of marine finfish aquaculture licence and tenure applications 
  • Working to determine if there will be a public notification and comment period for expansion applications. When applications involve changes in land tenure, they fall under the jurisdiction of the Provincial government and there is opportunity for comment. However, decision-making on the amount of fish produced at a site is a component of an aquaculture licence and therefore falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal DFO.  To date, it is unknown if there will be opportunity for public comment on licence applications for production expansion that do not involve a change to land tenure. 
  • DFO is currently consulting with First Nations on license expansion applications. SOS is providing capacity support to affected First Nations. 
  • SOS is using social media to raise public awareness on the proposed expansions and inform the public on opportunities to participate in public consultation. 
  • SOS submitted comments on the three licence applications currently under review in the Broughton Archipelago.  See this link for SOS comment on those 3 licence applications.

 Resources:


2.     Cohen Commission into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River

Status:

  • Justice Cohen delivered the Final Report resulting from the $26 million Inquiry on October 31, 2012. Despite government claims of action "consistent with Justice Cohen's recommendations", to date 18 recommendation deadlines have lapsed without action or response from DFO or the Minster of Fisheries and Oceans.
  • No single cause was found for the decline of the Fraser River Sockeye. 13 of the 75 Recommendations relate directly to salmon aquaculture. 
  • The Cohen Commission website with reports, submissions and evidentiary documents resulting from 18 months of testimony is no longer on-line.  
  • The BC Government accepted the intent of each of the eight Cohen Commission recommendations that directly reference the Province. 
       

SOS Action in Partnership with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society:

Resources:


3.     Genome BC Study into Salmon Health

Status:

  • This collaborative study between DFO, the Pacific Salmon Foundation and Genome BC will lead to knowledge about the presence/absence of 47 microbes known to cause disease in salmon. Farmed, wild and hatchery salmon are tested for these microbes and the first public reporting of results is anticipated for September 2014.  

SOS Action:

  • Raising awareness of the importance of this study for science-based decision-making around salmon aquaculture.
  • Providing comment on licence applications that decision-making regarding expansion of open net salmon farming should not proceed prior to the results of this study being known.   

Resources:


4.     Land-Based Closed Containment for Atlantic Salmon

Status:

  • As of April 22, 2014, the 'Namgis First Nation's KUTERRA land-raised salmon are available at Safeway seafood counters and through Albion Fisheries. The KUTERRA farm is Canada's first land-based closed containment facility will produce approximated 470 MT of samon per year and is the first in Canada to grow out Atlantic salmon to full size at commercial scale. Due to being able to create ideal conditions for the fish, they have grown to full size in only a year with savings of about 30% in feed without any use of chemicals (antibiotics or pesticides).
  • The Conservation Fund's Freshwater Institute in West Virginia (in partnership with the Atlantic Salmon Federation) has harvested its 6th growout of Atlantic salmon. 
  • Atlantic Sapphire (Langsand Laks) in Denmark has harvested and is marketing its first Atlantic salmon grown to market size in a commercial scale (1,000 MT) land-based closed containment system (LBCC).
  • There are at least 5 other global projects working to raise Atlantic salmon to 3 to 5 kg in LBCC. 
  • In March 2013, the Fisheries and Oceans Standing Committee delivered a report, including recommendations, on the economics and benefits of closed containment aquaculture. This included "The Committee is optimistic that ongoing pilot projects will demonstrate the commercial viability of closed containment technology for salmon aquaculture. As one of a suite of different technologies, the Committee recognizes the potential for closed containment to contribute to the development of a thriving and sustainable aquaculture industry in Canada. The Committee understands the need for the right policies and programs to be in place for Canada to capitalize on its advantages and realize the full economic benefits of the aquaculture industry." 

SOS Action:

  • Project Partner in the ‘Namgis First Nation's KUTERRA land-based salmon farm.
  • Assessment and reporting on land-based aquaculture as a sustainable alternative to open net salmon farming is ongoing.   

Resources:

 

 


Recent image of the 'Namgis First Nation's land-based Atlantic Salmon Farm in which SOS is a Partner. 
Click image to see latest Project photos. 


Namgis Closed Containment