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Canada is moving to phase out some British Columbia salmon farms. Fisheries and Oceans Canada image.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced on Dec. 17 it plans to phase out all existing salmon farming facilities in the Discovery Islands – located in British Columbia – with the upcoming 18-month period being the last time the area can be licensed.
According to the announcement by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Jordan did as asked and worked with local indigenous communities to plan the phase-out of net-pen aquaculture in the Discovery Islands.
“These facilities are some of the oldest sites on the West Coast and are located on the traditional territory of the Homalco, Klahoose, K’ómoks, Kwaikah, Tla’amin, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations. Consultations with the seven First Nations in the Discovery Islands area provided important guidance to the minister and heavily informed the decision,” Fisheries and Oceans Canada stated. “This approach also aligns with the Province of British Columbia’s land tenure commitment that all aquaculture licenses as of June 2022 require consent from local First Nations.”