New jobs created by stronger rules, say BC’s salmon farmers

New jobs created by stronger rules, say BC’s salmon farmers
 BCSFA, March 26, 2014

NANAIMO - Better rules would mean better opportunity for BC’s salmon farmers, a senate committee was told today by representatives of the sector.

While BC’s salmon farming community currently contributes $800-million to the provincial economy, it could grow to $1.4 billion by 2020, resulting in 8,000 total jobs. By 2035, it could reach $3.5 billion and 20,000 jobs. All the sector needs is legislation that better speaks to the work of the province’s ocean farmers.

“An Aquaculture Act for Canada … will define aquaculture in federal law and provide a unifying, long-term framework that recognizes aquaculture’s growing importance to Canada’s economy,” said Executive Director Jeremy Dunn during public hearings held on the topic.

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans visited Tofino, Campbell River, Baynes Sound and Nanaimo as part of a fact-finding mission this week. They are undertaking a study on the regulation of aquaculture in Canada, and the opportunities and challenges for the sector.

From representatives of BC’s salmon farming community, they heard that regulation tailored specifically to aquaculture would both meet the public’s interest in strong management of the sector while also enabling the sector to grow.

“Modernizing the legislative, regulatory and policy framework will allow Canada, and British Columbia, to realize its full potential … In BC we have shown that we can grow nutritious fish that are healthy and co-exist in the ecosystem,” said Dunn during his presentation.

The BCSFA represents salmon farm companies and those who supply services and supplies to the industry. Salmon-farming on Vancouver Island provides for 6,000 direct and indirect jobs while contributing over $800-million to the provincial economy each year.

For more information visit www.salmonfarmers.org

Aquaculture projects offer 'huge' opportunity
Robert Barron / Daily News, March 27, 2014

Aquaculture projects along B.C.'s coasts and across Canada provide "huge opportunities" for employment and economic growth, according to Senator Nancy Greene Raine.

Greene Raine is a member of the federal Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans that is undertaking a study on the regulation of aquaculture in Canada, and the opportunities and challenges for the sector.

She said B.C. is unique in national discussions concerning the aquaculture industry in that the issue has become "polarized" between those who are against it and the industry itself.

"It's the citizens of this province that are caught in the middle," Greene Raine said in Nanaimo on Wednesday where the latest round of hearings were held.

"I believe we should be growing fish and that it can be done sustainably. At the end of the day, there is no solid evidence that salmon farms here impact wild salmon stocks."

The hearings in Nanaimo are the last that are to be held on Vancouver Island after the committee visited Tofino, Campbell River and Baynes Sound to gather input into the issue. Greene Raine said the committee hopes to complete a final report for the government's consideration by June of 2015. In 2010, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the province does not have the right to regulate B.C.'s salmon farms because the fish inside the farms are a fishery, not agriculture as stated by the province, so the federal government has exclusive right to regulate them.

The committee is tasked to develop a regulatory regime for the industry under the auspices of DFO. The B.C. Salmon Farmers Association, which represents the industry, maintains that the province's salmon farming industry currently contributes $800 million to the provincial economy and it could grow to $1.4 billion by 2020, resulting in 8,000 total jobs.

By 2035, it could reach $3.5 billion and 20,000 jobs.

Association executive director Jeremy Dunn told the committee all the sector needs is legislation that "better speaks" to the work of the province's ocean farmers.

"An Aquaculture Act for Canada. .. will define aquaculture in federal law and provide a unifying, long-term framework that recognizes aquaculture's growing importance to Canada's economy."

News Video: Island aquaculture leaders tell Canadian senators change needs to come soon
CTV News VI, March 26, 2014
http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=314290

Salmon farming in British Columbia could be a $3.5 billion (~€ 2.3 billion) industry by 2035, representing some 20,000 jobs.
Odd Grydeland, FishFarmingXpert, March 27, 2014

A Government committee hears from industry associations, supportive local government and frustrated environmentalists, unable to make their case

As the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans come to the final stages of public hearings about the current opportunities and challenges of the Canadian aquaculture industry, as well as the regulatory system for the industry, a meeting in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island last night provided some interesting contrasts. Some of the more noticeable reports surrounding the meeting include these comments:

By Nancy Greene-Raines, the only Committee member from B.C.: Aquaculture projects along B.C.'s coasts and across Canada provide "huge opportunities" for employment and economic growth. B.C. is unique in national discussions concerning the aquaculture industry in that the issue has become "polarized" between those who are against it and the industry itself. "I believe we should be growing fish and that it can be done sustainably. At the end of the day, there is no solid evidence that salmon farms here impact wild salmon stocks." (Nanaimo Daily News)

By Colleen Evans, President and CEO of the Campbell River Chamber of Commerce: Aquaculture is an important part of the economic fabric of Campbell River and we are glad these Senators are coming to learn more about how they can help it achieve its full potential and be an even greater part of our community. The potential new jobs and economic opportunity this could create in a community like Campbell River is exciting. (The Fish Site)

By Jeremy Dunn, Executive Director of the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA): While BC’s salmon farming community currently contributes $800-million (~€524 million) to the provincial economy, it could grow to $1.4 billion (~€920 million) by 2020, resulting in 8,000 total jobs. By 2035, it could reach $3.5 billion (~€2.3 billion) and 20,000 jobs. All the sector needs is legislation that better speaks to the work of the province’s ocean farmers. We are looking forward to the Senators touring our members operations, and having the opportunity to share our positive outlook on the sector in Canada. We know that strong rules about salmon farming are important to the public, and we welcome the stringent standards that a stand-alone Aquaculture Act would bring, as our members have shown their determination to meet and exceed high expectations. (BCSFA)

By anti-salmon farming activist Alexandra Morton: I will comment more later, but that was a very, very difficult day. I was unable to communicate the risks, so much so I had to ask one of them after if I had been called a "liar". It was very disappointing. (Alexandra Morton on Facebook)

Meeting Schedule - Agenda

Study on the regulation of aquaculture, current challenges and future prospects for the industry in Canada