A hereditary chief from the Ahousaht Nation is urging the Canadian government to scrap its proposal to prohibit open-net fish farms along the British Columbia (B.C.) coastline. Originally set for 2025, the ban was pushed to 2029 by the federal fisheries minister last June in response to concerns raised by environmentalists and several First Nations groups about the potential threat of disease transmission from fish farms to wild salmon populations.
hasheukumiss, a hereditary chief and president of Ahousaht’s economic development entity, highlighted the benefits his nation derives from the 12 fish farms located in their territory near Tofino on Vancouver Island’s west coast. These farms, managed by the Norwegian aquaculture company Cermaq, operate under a protocol agreement with the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS), facilitating responsible operations.
The MHSS receives financial support from Cermaq, which is reinvested into various community projects and provides employment opportunities for around 50 Ahousaht Nation members. hasheukumiss emphasized the adverse impact the removal of these farms would have on multiple levels, underscoring the collaborative efforts with Cermaq to reduce sea lice and pathogens through strict protocols.
Recent advancements in technology have enabled Cermaq, MHSS, and the Ahousaht Nation to successfully lower sea lice levels below Fisheries and Oceans Canada standards, demonstrating the effectiveness of their joint monitoring and regulatory measures. The integration of independent biologists further ensures the accuracy of environmental assessments, instilling confidence in the ongoing innovations to mitigate risks to wild salmon stocks.
In light of the proposed ban, hasheukumiss expressed concerns regarding potential infringements on the Ahousaht Nation’s rights to safeguard their lands and people, questioning the federal government’s duty to engage in meaningful consultation. Conversely, Bob (Galagame’) Chamberlin, head of the First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance, opposed fish farms, citing scientific evidence of their detrimental impact on wild salmon populations.
Chamberlin pointed to the increased sockeye salmon return to the Fraser River this year, attributing it partially to the removal of some fish farms from Vancouver Island’s east side. He stressed the importance of considering all B.C. First Nations with fishing rights in the decision-making process, noting widespread support among these communities for the ban proposal.
While Fisheries and Oceans Canada did not directly confirm the status of the 2029 phase-out target, emphasizing collaboration with various stakeholders for sustainable aquaculture development in B.C., the debate surrounding the future of open-net fish farms continues to unfold.
