Cortes Currents

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Salmon farming is a significant local employer in Northern Vancouver Island. According to a recent report there are 572 Campbell River, Sayward and the Discovery Islands residents working in this sector. 702 people are said to have indirect jobs, which means the industry is bringing about $324.3 a year into the local economy. Another 512 direct and indirect jobs, representing $135.1 million, are in Port Hardy and Port McNeill.

Mayor Andy Adams announced the extent of the mayor’s support during a the January 11, 2021 meeting of the Campbell River City Council.

“Speaking on behalf of myself, Mayor Baker of Sayward, Mayor Unger of Gold River, Mayor Dugas of Port Hardy, Mayor Wickstrom of Port McNeill, we have all been working in collaboration together for the industries, staff and employees and residents of the North Island. While we recognize that there is nothing more important than the preservation of wild salmon stocks, we are of course in Campbell River, the salmon capital of the world,” he began.

“ … We have seen the evolution of aquaculture here on the North Island. It is science based, with the innovation and technology that have made it the number one agricultural export for the province of British Columbia and that industry is at risk.”

“That is 1,500 employees in the North Island. It is people’s lives, people’s jobs and all the family and friends around them that are adversely impacted.”

“So I can tell you that the group of mayors have been working right through the holidays, every single day. reaching out to the powers that be at the provincial and federal level. We had a video conference Friday with Minister Kahlon, MLA Babchuk and Minister Osborne reviewing the economic impact. We were to have a video conference this morning with MPO Blaney, however that got sidetracked and is now trying to be rescheduled with the parties that we are in agreement should be there. We are also working to set up a conference call with Minister Jordan”

Mayor Adams added that the mayors are also in communications with people supporting open net salmon farms on the Atlantic coast.

He concluded, “I want to say to all of those that have worked in the industry through our economic recovery task force, as we have done with forestry in the past, we are going to stand up and speak on your behalf, for you and in support of you. And in support of dealing with the facts of science, technology and innovation.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the third of what has become a series of articles about the need for a transition plan, John Paul Fraser, President of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, considers the industry’s prospects for survival.

“You can make these tough decisions smart. You actually find out how to do it in a way where time and preparation help reduce the temperature and help create a plan to move forward and maybe also help invigorate local discussion. There is no question that this is also a good thing,” he began.

As regards the Minister of Fisheries decision to phase out the Discovery Island’s fish farms by June 30th, 2022, Fraser said, “Eighteen months … is a completely untenable and unworkable time frame to exercise any kind of transition, or whatever you may call it. It is really about termination … but I think the part that really upsets a lot of people … is that apparently this government made absolutely no effort.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the third of what has become a series of articles about the need for a transition plan, John Paul Fraser, President of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, considers the industry’s prospects for survival.

“You can make these tough decisions smart. You actually find out how to do it in a way where time and preparation help reduce the temperature and help create a plan to move forward and maybe also help invigorate local discussion. There is no question that this is also a good thing,” he began.

As regards the Minister of Fisheries decision to phase out the Discovery Island’s fish farms by June 30th, 2022, Fraser said, “Eighteen months … is a completely untenable and unworkable time frame to exercise any kind of transition, or whatever you may call it. It is really about termination … but I think the part that really upsets a lot of people … is that apparently this government made absolutely no effort.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - In the third of what has become a series of articles about the need for a transition plan, John Paul Fraser, President of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, considers the industry’s prospects for survival.

“You can make these tough decisions smart. You actually find out how to do it in a way where time and preparation help reduce the temperature and help create a plan to move forward and maybe also help invigorate local discussion. There is no question that this is also a good thing,” he began.

As regards the Minister of Fisheries decision to phase out the Discovery Island’s fish farms by June 30th, 2022, Fraser said, “Eighteen months … is a completely untenable and unworkable time frame to exercise any kind of transition, or whatever you may call it. It is really about termination … but I think the part that really upsets a lot of people … is that apparently this government made absolutely no effort.”

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is the second in what has turned out to be a series of interviews about the need for a plan to help the 1,500 fish farm workers who will allegebly be losing their jobs because of the decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Island. Stan Proboszcz, Science Advisor with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, is questioning the numbers.

Are 1,500 people actually losing their jobs?

“I really do feel for the few people who are losing their jobs, but let’s do some math here,” said Stan Proboszoz.

He suggests that, conservatively speaking, the actual number i probably closer to 300.

(Listen to his calculations in the podcast above.)

This raises the question of whether the closure would be a major economic blow to the region? Or a personal tragedy for the affected families?

After my interview with Proboszoz, someone from the BC Salmon Farmers Association said the 1,500 figure is a combination of direct and indirect jobs. The actual total is 1,498 and 672 of these are people directly employed on the Discovery Island fish farms.

“How many jobs have been lost because of … the parasites and diseases from fish farms?” asks Proboszcz.

Have fishermen lost their jobs?

What about negative impacts on the wild wilderness tourism and recreational fishing sectors?

“I can’t prove with 100% certainty that there have been jobs lost because of fish farms. It is tough to prove anything with 100% certainty. I would suggest that salmon farms are a contributing factor … There has been a fair bit of science that shows they contribute to wild salmon declines,” said Proboszoz.

“I have heard that the industry was blindsided by this decision. People were surprised, shocked, but I just want to remind everyone that this isn’t a surprise. This was explicitly stated in recommendations from the Cohen Commission that was tabled eight years ago. One of the recommendations stated that the farms should be removed in 2020. Everyone knew that this likely going to happen. I think it is a little irresponsible for the industry to suggest they were blind-sided. They should have been preparing for this a long time ago,” said Proboszoz.

As far as funding the retaining of fish farm workers who have lost their jobs, Proboszcz wondered if it could be part of a larger transition of the industry to on-land farms.

“I’m not sure of the best way forward, that’s not my area of expertise, but I do not that there are jurisdictions around the world that are moving forward with [on land fish farms]. There just seems to be this resistance, especially in Western Canada, to this technology. I think we need to change and perhaps they are starting to see the writing on the wall. Perhaps after this bitterness assess we’ll see that sort of transition. , … We are going to miss the boat if we don’t transition towards a more environmentally sustainable method of growing fish,” he said.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is the second in what has turned out to be a series of interviews about the need for a plan to help the 1,500 fish farm workers who will allegebly be losing their jobs because of the decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Island. Stan Proboszcz, Science Advisor with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, is questioning the numbers.

Are 1,500 people actually losing their jobs?

“I really do feel for the few people who are losing their jobs, but let’s do some math here,” said Stan Proboszoz.

He suggests that, conservatively speaking, the actual number i probably closer to 300.

(Listen to his calculations in the podcast above.)

This raises the question of whether the closure would be a major economic blow to the region? Or a personal tragedy for the affected families?

After my interview with Proboszoz, someone from the BC Salmon Farmers Association said the 1,500 figure is a combination of direct and indirect jobs. The actual total is 1,498 and 672 of these are people directly employed on the Discovery Island fish farms.

“How many jobs have been lost because of … the parasites and diseases from fish farms?” asks Proboszcz.

Have fishermen lost their jobs?

What about negative impacts on the wild wilderness tourism and recreational fishing sectors?

“I can’t prove with 100% certainty that there have been jobs lost because of fish farms. It is tough to prove anything with 100% certainty. I would suggest that salmon farms are a contributing factor … There has been a fair bit of science that shows they contribute to wild salmon declines,” said Proboszoz.

“I have heard that the industry was blindsided by this decision. People were surprised, shocked, but I just want to remind everyone that this isn’t a surprise. This was explicitly stated in recommendations from the Cohen Commission that was tabled eight years ago. One of the recommendations stated that the farms should be removed in 2020. Everyone knew that this likely going to happen. I think it is a little irresponsible for the industry to suggest they were blind-sided. They should have been preparing for this a long time ago,” said Proboszoz.

As far as funding the retaining of fish farm workers who have lost their jobs, Proboszcz wondered if it could be part of a larger transition of the industry to on-land farms.

“I’m not sure of the best way forward, that’s not my area of expertise, but I do not that there are jurisdictions around the world that are moving forward with [on land fish farms]. There just seems to be this resistance, especially in Western Canada, to this technology. I think we need to change and perhaps they are starting to see the writing on the wall. Perhaps after this bitterness assess we’ll see that sort of transition. , … We are going to miss the boat if we don’t transition towards a more environmentally sustainable method of growing fish,” he said.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - This is the second in what has turned out to be a series of interviews about the need for a plan to help the 1,500 fish farm workers who will allegebly be losing their jobs because of the decision to phase out fish farms in the Discovery Island. Stan Proboszcz, Science Advisor with the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, is questioning the numbers.

Are 1,500 people actually losing their jobs?

“I really do feel for the few people who are losing their jobs, but let’s do some math here,” said Stan Proboszoz.

He suggests that, conservatively speaking, the actual number i probably closer to 300.

(Listen to his calculations in the podcast above.)

This raises the question of whether the closure would be a major economic blow to the region? Or a personal tragedy for the affected families?

After my interview with Proboszoz, someone from the BC Salmon Farmers Association said the 1,500 figure is a combination of direct and indirect jobs. The actual total is 1,498 and 672 of these are people directly employed on the Discovery Island fish farms.

“How many jobs have been lost because of … the parasites and diseases from fish farms?” asks Proboszcz.

Have fishermen lost their jobs?

What about negative impacts on the wild wilderness tourism and recreational fishing sectors?

“I can’t prove with 100% certainty that there have been jobs lost because of fish farms. It is tough to prove anything with 100% certainty. I would suggest that salmon farms are a contributing factor … There has been a fair bit of science that shows they contribute to wild salmon declines,” said Proboszoz.

“I have heard that the industry was blindsided by this decision. People were surprised, shocked, but I just want to remind everyone that this isn’t a surprise. This was explicitly stated in recommendations from the Cohen Commission that was tabled eight years ago. One of the recommendations stated that the farms should be removed in 2020. Everyone knew that this likely going to happen. I think it is a little irresponsible for the industry to suggest they were blind-sided. They should have been preparing for this a long time ago,” said Proboszoz.

As far as funding the retaining of fish farm workers who have lost their jobs, Proboszcz wondered if it could be part of a larger transition of the industry to on-land farms.

“I’m not sure of the best way forward, that’s not my area of expertise, but I do not that there are jurisdictions around the world that are moving forward with [on land fish farms]. There just seems to be this resistance, especially in Western Canada, to this technology. I think we need to change and perhaps they are starting to see the writing on the wall. Perhaps after this bitterness assess we’ll see that sort of transition. , … We are going to miss the boat if we don’t transition towards a more environmentally sustainable method of growing fish,” he said.

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There will be a plan to help displaced fish farm workers, and threatened wild salmon stocks, in the Discovery Islands.

Approximately 1,500 people, many of whom live in Campbell River or Quadra Island, will lose their jobs by June 30th, 2022.

On December 17th, the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, announced,“no new fish of any size may be introduced into Discovery Islands.” “Fish at the sites can complete their growth-cycle and be harvested,” but “all farms be free of fish by June 30th, 2022.”

The mayors of Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Gold River asked to be included in the discussion leading up to this decision, but were ignored.

MP Rachel Blaney met with Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, yesterday.

“First of all, I outlined to her how unfortunate it was that she made the decision to help the affected workers and what the economic impact will be. I think the lack of a plan left people left people in a void. They are concerned about what the future will look like. So what I requested from her was a coordinated approach to the economic realities faced in our region,” said Blaney.

“I outlined the fact this area has lived through a very long forestry strike, we’ve had a lot of changes because of COVID and tourism was really impacted.”

“When you look at that reality, we need to make sure  that we have multiple federal departments participating in this. We’ve heard clearly from people that there are opportunities. They need supports to look at those opportunities.”

“Two of the things we’ve heard from people are better connectivity, so that we can have better internet speeds and increased cell phone reception. And I’ve asked the minister, as well, if the other ministers will be playing a role. There are some key minsters, like Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development, Ministers Monsef and Baines, who are in charge of the Connect Coast project for internet,“she continued.

“The Minister promised me there would be a whole government approach to these challenges.”

Photo credit: Rachel Blaney

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There will be a plan to help displaced fish farm workers, and threatened wild salmon stocks, in the Discovery Islands.

Approximately 1,500 people, many of whom live in Campbell River or Quadra Island, will lose their jobs by June 30th, 2022.

On December 17th, the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, announced,“no new fish of any size may be introduced into Discovery Islands.” “Fish at the sites can complete their growth-cycle and be harvested,” but “all farms be free of fish by June 30th, 2022.”

The mayors of Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Gold River asked to be included in the discussion leading up to this decision, but were ignored.

MP Rachel Blaney met with Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, yesterday.

“First of all, I outlined to her how unfortunate it was that she made the decision to help the affected workers and what the economic impact will be. I think the lack of a plan left people left people in a void. They are concerned about what the future will look like. So what I requested from her was a coordinated approach to the economic realities faced in our region,” said Blaney.

“I outlined the fact this area has lived through a very long forestry strike, we’ve had a lot of changes because of COVID and tourism was really impacted.”

“When you look at that reality, we need to make sure  that we have multiple federal departments participating in this. We’ve heard clearly from people that there are opportunities. They need supports to look at those opportunities.”

“Two of the things we’ve heard from people are better connectivity, so that we can have better internet speeds and increased cell phone reception. And I’ve asked the minister, as well, if the other ministers will be playing a role. There are some key minsters, like Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development, Ministers Monsef and Baines, who are in charge of the Connect Coast project for internet,“she continued.

“The Minister promised me there would be a whole government approach to these challenges.”

Photo credit: Rachel Blaney

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - There will be a plan to help displaced fish farm workers, and threatened wild salmon stocks, in the Discovery Islands.

Approximately 1,500 people, many of whom live in Campbell River or Quadra Island, will lose their jobs by June 30th, 2022.

On December 17th, the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, announced,“no new fish of any size may be introduced into Discovery Islands.” “Fish at the sites can complete their growth-cycle and be harvested,” but “all farms be free of fish by June 30th, 2022.”

The mayors of Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port McNeill and Gold River asked to be included in the discussion leading up to this decision, but were ignored.

MP Rachel Blaney met with Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, yesterday.

“First of all, I outlined to her how unfortunate it was that she made the decision to help the affected workers and what the economic impact will be. I think the lack of a plan left people left people in a void. They are concerned about what the future will look like. So what I requested from her was a coordinated approach to the economic realities faced in our region,” said Blaney.

“I outlined the fact this area has lived through a very long forestry strike, we’ve had a lot of changes because of COVID and tourism was really impacted.”

“When you look at that reality, we need to make sure  that we have multiple federal departments participating in this. We’ve heard clearly from people that there are opportunities. They need supports to look at those opportunities.”

“Two of the things we’ve heard from people are better connectivity, so that we can have better internet speeds and increased cell phone reception. And I’ve asked the minister, as well, if the other ministers will be playing a role. There are some key minsters, like Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development, Ministers Monsef and Baines, who are in charge of the Connect Coast project for internet,“she continued.

“The Minister promised me there would be a whole government approach to these challenges.”

Photo credit: Rachel Blaney