Getting it together: A made in B.C. wild salmon policy

Jun 16, 2018 | Blog, Governance

Fragmented wild salmon policy

Wild salmon policy at the provincial level is fragmented. Multiple ministries make decisions that affect the wild Pacific salmon. But, there is no one body that has wild salmon at the centre of their decisions.

Both the federal and provincial governments have been perpetually studying, reporting and recommending. Yet, fish stocks are still collapsing across the province.

Decisions about agricultural practices, community development, forestry, mining, and roads and infrastructure all deeply affect wild salmon habitat. Without coordination, the result is chaos. But, good wild salmon policy is good economic, social and environmental policy. So, we have to do better.

There was a time when we had a Minister of Fisheries and policy-making was more centralized at the provincial level. When the B.C. Liberals gained power in the early 2000’s they dismantled Fisheries Renewal BC and the fish farm industry became the sole focus of the government.

Having a vision

As then Minister responsible, John VanDongen stated,

“Our vision for the direction we should take in the fishery is somewhat different [from the NDP’s.] It’s a vision that includes a greater emphasis on aquaculture and it’s a vision that includes a great emphasis on private enterprise.”

The B.C. Liberals wholeheartedly embraced the approach that VanDongen articulated. No longer was anyone in government responsible for developing policy with wild salmon at the centre. The once abundant salmon runs were already in decline and now there was no captain at the wheel. In addition, indigenous and coastal communities that relied on the salmon were abandoned. It was intentional.

Addressing the broad policy challenges

So, the work that I and my B.C. Green colleagues focussed on throughout this spring legislative session was to unpack the bureaucratic confusion. In short, we are committed to fixing the broad policy challenges. We focus on a vision of better economic, social and environmental prosperity for coastal communities.

The result of our efforts this spring was a report in which we recommend government establish a Wild Salmon Secretariat or Commissioner. The office must have a mandate to establish better coordination, communication and a comprehensive wild salmon policy.

To that end, the B.C. government has created the Wild Salmon Advisory Council. We are excited that they have accepted the challenge of protecting wild salmon. There are many stakeholders. It is critical that we bring them together to collaborate and crowd-source solutions for wild salmon.

Strong opposition to open net-pen fish farms

At the same time, we recognize that we must also address specific, timely and urgent issues. One such example, is our ongoing advocacy to get fish farms out of our coastal waters (see below).

We have been abundantly clear that we do not support the open net-pen industry. And, we remain strongly opposed. Our work was to highlight that just as VanDongen clearly stated a vision for the future of salmon on our coast, this government can also clearly state a different vision. And, it needs to do so, urgently.

So, we have to address the damage that fish farms are doing to wild salmon stocks, and the evidence continues to grow. But, we also have a responsibility to deal with the broad challenges as well. How we build our communities, roads and infrastructure, how we treat the creeks, streams, rivers, lakes, watersheds and estuaries, agricultural, mining and forestry practices must become more sustainable.

Speak with a powerful voice

Also, we have to deal with the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans. To address that mess, the province must organize. The numerous stakeholders must be in alignment, working together and speaking with one powerful voice.

Undoubtedly, many British Columbians hoped that the announcement yesterday was about the cancellation of fish farm tenures in the Broughton Archipelago. It was not, and fish farms remain a pressing issue for the B.C. NDP government.

The B.C. Green Caucus is steadfast in our opposition. So, we stand with the Musgamagw Dzawada̱ʼenux̱w communities who want fish farms out of their territory. We support the Wild FirstSafe Salmon and SeaLegacy campaigns. We commit that this will continue to be our message to government.

But, as the B.C  Green critic for Agriculture, Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Transportation and Infrastructure, I will also continue to work at the broad policy level to ensure we are better organized, coordinated, and have a coherent executable plan to protect and enhance wild salmon in British Columbia.


B.C. Green Caucus advocacy to remove open net pen fish farms

This is a list of some of the advocacy work that the B.C. Green Caucus has done on fish farms in recent month.

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