By Canadian Press

Ottawa plans to move from open-net fish pens to ‘sustainable technology’ in B.C.

Nov 12, 2020 | 12:48 PM

VANCOUVER — The federal government says it has a game plan to transition away from open-net fish farming on British Columbia’s coast.

Terry Beech, a Burnaby MP and parliamentary secretary for the minister of fisheries, says the government is committed to moving away from open-net pens to more sustainable technology, but that still needs to be examined. 

Phasing out net-pen fish farming in B.C. waters by 2025 was a Liberal campaign promise in the federal election and it formed part of the mandate letter for Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan.

Some studies say the open-net farms spread parasites and viruses to wild salmon, and while the government set the timeline to end the ocean-based farms, Beech did not have a date for when the businesses would move. 

Beech says the government will be working with First Nations, the aquaculture industry and environment stakeholders on an interim report expected to be handed to the minister in the spring. 

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

2h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

8h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

Dec 12, 2024

In 2018, the B.C. government recommended a transition plan for 17 fish farms to leave the Broughton Archipelago by 2023, allowing for a farm-free migration corridor for wild salmon off northeastern Vancouver Island.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2020.

The Canadian Press