Salmon farms threaten tourism jobs

Colleen Kimmett
July 3, 2009
The Tyee

VANCOUVER - More jobs could be lost than gained with the creation of a new fish farm in the Johnstone Strait, argues Brian Gunn, president of the B.C. Wilderness Tourism Association (BCWTA).

 Last week, Strathcona regional district approved the third reading of a rezoning application that would allow Grieg Seafood to farm Atlantic salmon in this wild salmon migratory route.

An excerpt from Gunn's letter, which was addressed to individuals at the Agriculture and Lands ministry, Fisheries and Oceans Canada [DFO], regional district and Grieg Seafood, reads:

"Wilderness Tourism contributes $1.5 billion in direct revenues to the BC economy an generates 26,000 jobs. Our economic impact doubles to $3 billion when we include indirect and induced revenues and benefits and some 52,000 jobs. As an industry sector that depends on a resilient wild salmon resource, this aquaculture zoning decision is of extreme importance to us.

See full article on The Tyee

See press release from the Wilderness Tourism Association 

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