Today was a very rewarding day in my job as the provincial representative for Saanich North and the Islands.
They were the result of hard work and a dedication to collaboration.
Firstly, I was honoured to participate in a critical discussion about the advancement of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People at the invitation of Minister Scott Fraser. More on that to follow very soon. Secondly, I was doubly honoured to be invited to the launch of the International Year of the Salmon (2019).
What is even more exciting is that during the launch Premier John Horgan released the wild salmon report (see the report here) that I have been working on with my colleagues on the Wild Salmon Advisory Council. I am excited about the progress we have made on this critically important issue for British Columbians but staying committed to working together.
B.C. GREEN CAUCUS
For immediate release
October 11, 2018
Olsen welcomes publication of Wild Salmon Advisory Council report
VICTORIA, B.C. – Adam Olsen, B.C. Green Party spokesperson for agriculture, welcomed the publication of the Wild Salmon Advisory Council’s report. Olsen is a member of the Advisory Council, which was formed following his call for the creation of a similar body to advise government on comprehensive policies to protect B.C.’s wild salmon population.
“This report is a result of widespread collaboration and provides government with a clear pathway to develop policies that will protect wild salmon,” said Olsen.
“Protecting wild salmon will advance Indigenous rights and reconciliation, support sustainable economic development and lead to better management of our natural environment.
“It’s clear that British Columbians from all walks of life want action on this file. Now that we have this report, the government should act swiftly to enact policies that will lead to measurable progress.”
-30-
Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca
Well, it’s almost like pulling teeth trying to find out the report’s position on fish farms. First, the report (the Options Paper) is here: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/app/uploads/sites/121/2018/10/Wild-Salmon-Strategy-Options-Paper.pdf
It says in a bullet point on page 6 — “Although the Terms of Reference for this Options Paper include exploration of enhancement opportunities, they do not explicitly refer to aquaculture. Therefore, with regards to marine-based salmon aquaculture in BC, the WSAC [Wild Salmon Advisory Council] members have accepted the findings of the Minister of Agriculture’s Advisory Council on Finfish Aquaculture, and urge swift action on its recommendations.”
The bullet point sends you to a footnote that gives you a link to a BC government page, where you have to follow a link to the final report produced by the Minister of Agriculture’s Advisory Council on Finfish Aquaculture: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/fisheries-and-aquaculture/minister-or-agriculture-s-advisory-council-on-finfish-aquaculture/maacfa-2017-docs/minister_of_agricultures_advisory_council_on_finfish_aquaculture_final_report_and_appendices.pdf
On page 15, the Strategic Recommendation with regard to fish farms and pathogens is to “Move expeditiously to better understand the risk salmon farming poses to wild salmon
from the transfer of pathogens (including sea lice) as well as the actual consequences
of pathogen infection on wild salmon.” On page 16, the Strategic Recommendation with regard to alternative technologies and approaches is to “Provide incentives for the continued research, development and adoption of salmon farming technologies that reduce the risk to wild salmon, including land-based closed containment.”
That was a lot of work. Is that why none of the media reports talk about what this new report means for fish farms?
Hello Dianne,
Thank you for your comment. The Wild Salmon Advisory Council was not asked to address aquaculture. This is the responsibility of, and led by, the Ministry of Agriculture.
We were tasked with:
The challenges facing wild salmon definitely include fish farms but they much deeper and far broader and our Council was made up of all the aspects of the wild salmon industry.
There was confusion at the outset that the Council was put together to address aquaculture but that is not the case.
Thank you,
Adam