The ability to meet DFO's tight timeline to transition away from open-net pen aquaculture has been hampered by a delay in the release of a draft transition framework, the BC Salmon Farmers Association says.
The BC Salmon Farmers are "disappointed and concerned" to learn that the release of a draft Transition Framework from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has been delayed, a BCSFA statement says. Salmon farming licence holders were informed of the delay earlier this week. No new release date was announced; however, licence holders were told the delay could push the release to September 2024.
The federal government announced in June it will ban open-net-pen salmon farming in five years after extending current licences to allow for companies to transition to land-based or closed-containment operations. The government had promised to phase out the farms by 2025.
“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,” says Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association. “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 "unrealistic timeline for full transition" announced by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) on June 19, 2024, 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. the BCSFA says.
“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,” says Kingzett.
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 Association says it remains hopeful the federal government’s draft transition framework will provide that opportunity.
