Grieg ‘committed to BC reconciliation’

Despite a number of setbacks with its British Columbia operation over the past few weeks, Grieg Seafood says it is committed to reconciliation in the province.

Last week salmon BC farmers expressed disappointment and concern after being told that a draft Transition Framework from the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has been delayed.

The Federal government has ordered salmon farmers to end open pen operations in the province within the next five years – but even that has brought protests from some First Nations groups who are opposed to this type of aquaculture, claiming it is damaging wild salmon stocks.

Other groups, however, are in favour of the status quo and have severely criticised the government’s action.

Two months ago Mowi, Grieg and Cermaq, along with two First Nations groups unsuccessfully launched an appeal against the decision to halt open pen farming.

Now Grieg said in a statement a few days ago that it is committed to reconciliation, and all its farms in BC are currently doing so in agreement with the First Nations in whose territories it operates.

The statement adds: “These agreements are founded upon respecting First Nations’ rights to the land, resources, and waters within their territories.

“The Judicial Review applications seek to have DFO Minister Lebouthillier’s June 19th decision to issue five-year aquaculture licences set aside.

Three of the licences at issue belong to Grieg Seafood – Noo-la, Wa-kwa, and Tsa-ya – located in the traditional territory of the Tlowitsis First Nation.”

The company statement added: “Grieg Seafood and the Tlowitsis First Nation have been salmon farming in partnership for more than a decade.”

Salmon farming is worth more than a billion dollars to the BC economy and employs thousands of people.