More Aboriginals Against Fish Farms - Occupy Movement

It seems to me that the serious time for fish farms has arrived. With the Tsilhqut'n Decision and the resolve to occupy fish farms - Swanson Island and Wicklow Point - First Nations have finally taken action that will require the provincial and federal governments to move fish farms onto land.

Norway stopped auctioning in-ocean licences more than two years ago because they were fed up with the environmental damage of fish farms - the same compaines as here, Marine Harvest, Cermaq and Grieg Seafood. Norway issues on-land licences for free.

It is time for the John Horgan and Andrew Weaver to take action.

Here is what the Union of BC Indian Chiefs had to say on Sept 1, 2017:

Hi Dc, For your information, reference and/or further distribution, please find the following joint news release from the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs regarding open net-pen fish farms. Specifically, the danger of Atlantic salmon to the indigenous runs of wild salmon. Hoping it is sunny where you are, enjoy your long weekend Dc. In solidarity, Don Bain Executive Director Union of BC Indian Chiefs -- NEWS RELEASE Time to Ground Open Net-Pen Fish Farms (Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver - August 31, 2017) BC must begin its transition from dangerously reckless open net-pen fish farms to the safety of land-based closed containment aquaculture. Time and time again First Nations in BC have warned the federal and provincial governments of the potentially devastating impacts open net-pen aquaculture poses to not only wild aquatic species but to Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities’ health, culture and economies. Atlantic salmon fish farms use outdated technology to contain hundreds of thousands of fish in extremely confined conditions, effectively transferring the economic burden of managing fish waste to the environment, and surrounding communities. Due to the reckless positioning of fish farms in the previously pristine waters of BC’s coastal waters, these sites have become focal points for salmon related diseases and viruses, including Heart and Skeletal Muscle Inflammation (HSMI), Piscine Reo-Virus (PRV), for hazardous levels of parasitic sea-lice, impacting wild migratory juvenile salmon, and for unnatural levels of predation, targeting vulnerable herring stocks.  Further, the siting of these farms has never respected nor considered the out-migratory routes of wild salmon smolts which pass through these focal, at this stage salmon are at their most vulnerable and have been the most impacted by these farms. This industry continues to operate under archaic provisions allowing environmental polluters to pass their economic burden onto the environment and surrounding communities. It is time for the aquaculture industry and the governments of Canada and BC to adopt the notable advancements the industry has seen in other parts of the world. Closed containment, land-based aquaculture is a viable, ethical and economically beneficial alternative, that in exchange for the political will and initial investment will provide environmental safeguards, economic prosperity and an abundant food source for our future generations. With historically low returns, our surviving salmon stocks are bordering on extinction. This represents an unacceptable loss to First Nations in BC. Salmon represents a significant aspect of many First Nations’ cultures, economies and are a critical food source for our communities and families. The First Nations Leadership Council is comprised of the political executives of the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. One final thing: Here is my list of 192 On-land Fish Farm Systems that I have found, comprising almost 20,000 actual farms around the world. This is a no brainer:  https://fishfarmnews.blogspot.ca/2016/05/152-different-on-land-fish-farm-systems.html.