A transition plan for BC salmon farms has been delayed yet again by the federal government, this time until September.
Brian Kingzett, executive director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, says coastal communities and employees that rely on the industry have been dealing with uncertainty since 2019. That’s when the Liberal government announced it was going to transition BC salmon farms to land, or full closed-containment systems.
He says the ongoing delays and lack of a clear plan are causing concern and stress to families and communities facing uncertain futures.
Salmon farm licence holders were told by Fisheries and Oceans Canada this week that a draft transition plan is again delayed. Kingzett says that will make it even more difficult to meet the ministry’s deadline to transition the BC industry to land or full closed-containment systems within five years.
