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Stop the expansion of open net-cage salmon farming in BC!
The Strathcona Regional District zoning bylaw for a new Grieg Seafood salmon farm is pending final adoption, but it is up to the provincial and federal governments to protect the future of all juvenile salmon who use this migration channel by denying the company's application.
In an area already full of 30 open net-cage salmon farms, wild salmon can't afford to face another farm spreading disease, parasites and waste. Tell your government to deny this application!
Please send a message to the Honourable Steve Thomson of Ministry of Agriculture of Lands and let him know that you want your government to deny the application of this Gunner Point farm -- and any other new open net-cage salmon farm.
Your fax will be sent directly to the Minister's office, with copies to Minister Gail Shea of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Premier Gordon Campbell, Minister Barry Penner of Ministry of Environment and Minister Bill Bennet of Ministry of Community and Rural Development.
Read CAAR's press release about the farm's approval.
To ensure your message is received loud and clear, please change the subject line to your own words and include a personal comment.
Dear Recipient,
I am writing to urge you to deny the application by Grieg Seafood Ltd for a new open net-cage salmon farm at Gunner Point in Johnstone Strait. The scientific evidence is undeniable: wild juvenile salmon are at risk due to infestations of sea lice from existing open net-cage salmon farms in BC. Adding any new salmon farms along the only northern migration route through Georgia Strait could be disastrous for wild salmon populations and all the economic sectors that rely on healthy marine ecosystems.
The recent Fraser River sockeye crash only exacerbates the need to protect our wild salmon. Although a combination of factors may have led to the crash, sea lice infestation of wild juvenile sockeye from salmon farms is one potential cause that is within our control. We need to focus on phasing out open net-cage technology for salmon farms – not add new farms to an already sensitive area.
The location of Grieg’s proposed farm in Sunderland Channel is at the bottleneck of the migratory route for juvenile salmon from as far south as the Fraser River and Puget Sound. Considering all the pressures on wild salmon survival, I strongly support a moratorium on any new open net-cage salmon farms in BC.
Canadians rely on our governments to protect wild salmon. We also understand that aquaculture can play an important role in our economy if it is done sustainably. Canada has the opportunity to become a global leader in the growing demand for responsibly farmed products and environmentally sound technology. Rather than lend your support to more harmful open net-cages, I want my government to invest in the future. I understand there have been repeated calls to your government to assist with the transition to closed containment farming, including calls from the Pacific Salmon Forum, numerous local governments, community groups, chefs, restaurants, concerned citizens and even a salmon farming company.
I urge you and the government of Canada to heed these calls and take responsible action - first by denying Grieg’s application for a new farm in Johnstone Strait, then by investing in the development of closed containment. Please take this opportunity to make BC a world leader in sustainable aquaculture technology.
I look forward to your immediate action on this matter.
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