BC salmon farmers anger over new transition delay

SALMON farmers in British Columbia have expressed disappointment and concern after being told that a draft Transition Framework from the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has been delayed.

Salmon farming licence holders were informed of the delay earlier this week. No new release date was announced.

However, the licence holders were told the delay could push the release into next month.

Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, said: “The rural coastal communities and employees who rely on salmon farming have been in a constant state of uncertainty since 2019 when the transition commitment was first announced.”

“The ongoing delays and decisions made by the federal government continue to cause concern and stress on these families and communities as they do not know what the future holds for them.”

The Association says that “the unrealistic timeline” for full transition announced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in June , undermines the federal government’s commitment to science-based decision-making, restoration of wild salmon populations, support for UNDRIP and rural coastal communities, growth of Canada’s Blue Economy, increased food security, and support for young Canadians.

Kingzett adds: “Our sector has worked tirelessly over the past few years and submitted thousands of pages of documentation to the federal government to show our commitment to this process.

“The federal government knew that the five-year timeline to transition to closed containment or land-based was unrealistic, and the delay in releasing the draft Transition Framework will further inhibit our sector’s ability to meet the already demanding timeline set by DFO.”

The Association says that despite this ongoing challenge, the sector will persist in fighting for its communities and finding a responsible, realistic, and achievable path forward.

“The BC Salmon Farmers remain hopeful the federal government’s draft transition framework will provide that opportunity.”