What Are Fish Farms?
Fish farms are factories where fish are produced in much the same way that cattle or potatoes are produced on other farms. Young salmon (smolts) are placed in open mesh net-cages which are anchored in the ocean. The fish are fed and kept here until they are harvested and sold at maturity. For the most part ocean waters flow freely through the net cages, washing away sewage and other residue of the fish farming process.
The industry has grown rapidly because it provides a year round supply of factory fish to supermarkets and restaurants. Due to the cutbacks in the wild salmon fishery, as well as to the seasonal nature of the wild salmon harvest, farmed salmon has become more and more common in local and international markets.
History of Fish Farms in BC
Fish farms started appearing in British Columbia during the 1970s. Initially, local species of fish were farmed. However, fish farms have overwhelmingly switched to farming Atlantic salmon because they are easier to farm. By 1995 there were approximately 80 fish farms in operation.
The provincial government placed a moratorium on fish farms in 1995 following serious environmental and health concerns. A Salmon Aquaculture Review was undertaken which gave a cautious “okay” for fish farming to proceed. The Review did not fully investigate the impact that fish farms have upon wild stocks and the environmental damage they can create. For example, the Review overlooked the fact that in some countries wild salmon have been almost entirely wiped out as a result of fish farms.
The Review minimized Indigenous Peoples’ interests to that of being one more “stake holder” (an interest group) and entirely overlooked the very vital role that salmon and all marine life have within Indigenous cultures.
The province has suggested that it will create Fish Farm zones along the central and north Coast. Within these “zones” the application procedures for the siting of new fish farms, or expansion of existing fish farms, will be made easier. Once the provincial government has identified a “zone” as being acceptable for fish farming, it will be much easier and quicker for proponents to apply for licences to operate fish farms in these areas.
Who Controls the Fish Farms?
The federal government has the responsibility for ensuring that the wild salmon and all other marine resources are safe. The federal government also has a fiduciary duty to ensure that Aboriginal Title and Rights are protected. To date, the federal government has avoided its responsibilities of ensuring the safety of the wild fishery.
The manner in which the province regulates the fish farm industry has undergone recent changes. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries maintains the primary responsibility for issuing the licences allowing the fish farms to operate, and to generally set standards regarding pollution and other environmental risks. Land and Water British Columbia Inc. is the Crown corporation who is responsible for issuing the leases and tenures that allow fish farms to be sited in Coastal waters. The Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection is the Ministry which receives and addresses complaints (usually from the MAFF) about pollution or environmental damage which may result from fish farms.
As part of the process which it must follow before proceeding with granting or renewing licences, tenures, etc. which may impact on Aboriginal Title and Rights the province has an obligation to ensure that the interests of Indigenous Peoples are protected and infringed as minimally as possible.
Neither the federal nor provincial governments have met their legal obligations to Indigenous Peoples. Fish farms have been located on Aboriginal Title Lands and Waters without the involvement of Indigenous Peoples, and there has been no broad based consultation with all of the Indigenous Peoples who will have their right to fish impacted by fish farms.
Employment Impacts
Very few people are needed to operate a salmon farm. In recent years, ownership of fish farms has concentrated in the hands of a few large corporations. Any jobs produced by factory-farming salmon are insignificant in comparison to the jobs lost through the devastation of the wild salmon harvest. This provides a serious threat to Indigenous communities which have historically relied upon the commercial fishery to sustain themselves.
Not only do farmed salmon endanger the existence of wild salmon and other marine resources, they are replacing the commercial fishery with factory produced farmed salmon.
