FIN IN THE NEWS: Environmental protection can coexist with economic prosperity

Farmed-salmon fight reaches Ottawa

Judith Lavoie, Times Colonist
CAPITAL & VAN. ISL., Page: A6

The mantra of the anti-salmon-farm movement was chalked on the steps of Parliament Hill yesterday by a Grade 10 student from Glenlyon Norfolk School.

Thea Block wrote "Salmon Are Sacred" to celebrate NDP fisheries critic Fin Donnelly's introduction of a private member's bill requiring B.C. fish farms to move to closed pens.

The bill was inspired by Block, who won a contest last year when Victoria MP Denise Savoie asked high school students to submit proposals for legislation.

Block, who works on her father's fishing boat out of Cortes Island during the summer, said she wants to ensure future generations can catch wild salmon.

"I don't want it spoiled because we didn't take steps to protect our wild salmon. That's why I entered my idea for closed containment in the contest," she said.

The bill is way down the list of private member's bills, which do not usually get past initial stages of legislation, but Donnelly said it's a good first step.

"New Democrats believe environmental protection not only can, but must, coexist with economic prosperity," he said.

The bill calls for an amendment to the Fisheries Act requiring that commercial fish farming be carried out in closed containment pens within five years.

It also calls for government to support the transition and protect the jobs and financial security of workers.

For years, the salmon farming industry has said practical closed-containment technology does not exist. However, Marine Harvest Canada, the largest salmon-farming company in B.C., is testing a land-based system.

"This technology has advanced a long way in recent years," said Clare Backman, Marine Harvest's sustainability director, noting the company is developing a pilot project that will look at the feasibility of the systems to grow salmon to harvest size. "Should this new technology prove to be sustainable, MHC will assess its integration into our ongoing business." The company is also working to improve its open-net cages "in our pursuit of eco-certification," he said.

An anti-salmon-farming march from Sointula to Victoria is expected to reach Sidney tomorrow and culminate with a rally at the legislature Saturday afternoon.