Nov. 27, 2020
The mayors of Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Gold River are asking to be included in consultation about the 18 fish farms in the Discovery Islands near Campbell River.
The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bernadette Jordan, is currently consulting with seven affected First Nations about the future of those open-net fish farms. She will ultimately conclude whether licences for these farms will be renewed at the end of the year.
Her office also announced earlier this month it is beginning the transition away from open-net farming — a federal campaign promise. Parliamentary Secretary Terry Beech is leading the consultations with First Nations, the aquaculture industry and conservation groups on that transition.