Aquaculture+Aboriginal support=Opportunity
Canada: Campbell River Jobs Forum marks path to prosperity- identifies aquaculture development supported by First Nations as a potential economic driver for British Columbia
Odd Grydeland, FishfarmingXpert, Febuary 01, 2012
There is no doubt that British Columbia could be a major producer of farmed seafood of many variations. The pristine environment found along its coast could support the sustainable production of a variety of fish, shellfish and marine algae for domestic consumption as well as for export to countries like China, which appreciate the quality of seafood coming from B.C. fishing boats and farms.
Campbell River on Vancouver Island is the center of the province’s salmon farming industry, with three of the main producers having their head offices here. Over the past few years, the city has lost its main contributors to employment and taxes through the closure of a large sawmill and a paper/pulp mill. But there is an increasing appreciation for the importance of jobs and business income from the region’s aquaculture industry, as well as for the need for businesses to work closely with the local aboriginal population. These factors were highlighted by a Provincial Minister during a meeting held earlier this week in Campbell River.
Brian Kieran of the Campbell River Mirror explains in this excerpt from a recent posting;
Agility, collaboration, singular focus, aggressiveness – these are the essential elements of economic renewal in Campbell River. Add one more critical ingredient – partnerships with First Nations. This is the formula for Campbell River’s success spelled out in convincing fashion by Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell this week. Bell and a small platoon of ministry facilitators descended on Campbell River Monday to stage what most participants considered to be a thought-provoking day of brainstorming about the city’s future prosperity. More than 60 of the city’s civic, political, educational, business and First Nations leaders assembled at the Coast Discovery Inn for what was billed as a “BC Jobs Plan regional economic investment pilot project forum.”
Throughout it all, the need for First Nations partnerships was top of mind for Bell. In a speech to forum participants he said, “One of the reasons why I was attracted to Campbell River is because of the work and the leadership of the First Nations in the room here ... and the relationships that exist. There is no question in my mind that if you have an adversarial relationship with First Nations things will grind down in the courts, you won’t move projects ahead in a timely fashion and no one will win.In a session with local media the minister embellished: “The relationship between the First Nation community and the local political leadership is very solid. First Nations leaders and the non-aboriginal leaders are kind of aligned in their view and are trying to move things forward economically. I sensed more than anything a desire, a real commitment to focus efforts and move forward.”
The need for partnerships with First Nations was reinforced with respect to potential aquaculture expansion, a sector beset by green lobby protests. Bell said: “What the community needs to decide...is if they want to go to the wall on aquaculture. I’m not suggesting they shouldn’t. I think the aquaculture industry is a great opportunity. But there has been enormous pressure created by different organizations and groups and individuals that has gone far beyond a few American funders of environmental groups. “I think if First Nations came forward and said this is something that has enormous potential it could make the list,” the minister said.
