Government of Canada launches engagement towards a plan to transition from open-net pen salmon farming in British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia - In order to advance innovation and support the ecological sustainability of the aquaculture sector in British Columbia, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is taking the next step to transition from open-net pen aquaculture in British Columbia coastal waters. The transition will require a strong plan that outlines how to proceed, in a way that greatly minimizes or eliminates risk to wild salmon, while also taking into account social, cultural and economic factors.

To that end, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Joyce Murray, today released a discussion framework which outlines a proposed vision for open-net pen transition in British Columbia. The Minister also launched the next round of stakeholder engagement on the future of the aquaculture sector in British Columbia. This will build on previous engagement undertaken by the Department in 2020 and 2021 and takes into account the evolution of aquaculture management in response to emerging science and research.

The proposed Framework and engagement approach will help guide the engagement with the Province, First Nations, industry, conservation organizations, and British Columbians, and take into account diverse views on aquaculture. Over the coming months, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will gather input through roundtables with Indigenous leaders, local governments, key stakeholders, and conservation organizations; bilateral meetings with First Nations and provincial governments; consultations with First Nations; the aquaculture industry and key stakeholder leaders; and online public engagement. Information received during these sessions will help shape a transition plan built on four objectives:

1. Create a pathway for existing aquaculture operations to adopt alternative production methods that minimize or eliminate interactions between farmed and wild salmon;
2. Improve transparency on how the government assesses and responds to new scientific information to build confidence and trust in how aquaculture is managed;
3. Provide greater opportunities for collaborative planning and decision-making with First Nations partners; and,
4. Advance innovation and attracting investment to support the adoption of alternative production technologies in British Columbia.

The input and feedback received during these engagement sessions will be instrumental in the development and implementation of the open-net pen transition plan, expected to be finalized in Spring 2023.