The federal Fisheries Minister is delaying a decision on closing the remaining ocean-based salmon farms in British Columbia, after pressure from First Nations and the fish-farm industry.
“To respond to requests from First Nations, industry and stakeholders, we are extending consultation on the open-net pen aquaculture transition to all interested parties through the summer,” the minister’s office said in a statement., setting out the priorities while in office, instructed the Fisheries Minister to work with the B.C. government and Indigenous communities “on a responsible plan to transition from open-net pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025.
Mr. John expressed his concern that the farms would be closed after he was told Ms. Murray was “about to cancel 50 per cent of salmon farming licences.”