“So far the only thing the B.C. Liberals have said on the salmon disaster is ‘it’s a federal issue.’ Can you imagine a Maritime premier responding with such disinterest to the collapse of Eastern fish stocks two decades ago? Let’s not forget Gordon Campbell once said his fourth ‘great goal’ was to lead the world in ‘the best fisheries management, bar none.’ Now he has nothing to say,” said North Coast MLA Gary Coons.
“If the B.C. Liberals plan on taking the same approach to the collapse of our salmon fishery that they have shown forest resource communities, then British Columbians will pay the price through more job losses and possibly even a permanent loss of vital salmon runs in B.C.”
Earlier this week, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans confirmed there are between nine and 11 million fewer sockeye returning to the Fraser River than predicted. Coons noted that, while the province has been silent on the near total collapse of the Fraser River sockeye run, B.C. First Nations leaders have called on provincial and federal governments to stage a salmon summit.
The causes for the disappearance of the salmon have not yet been determined, but scientists are considering a number of possibilities, including poor adaptation caused by climate change and rising water temperatures, and the proliferation of Atlantic open net salmon farms on the coast.
“The B.C. Liberals have consistently shown that they are out of touch with people who are concerned about the fate of our wild salmon and aquatic species. On the north Coast we are experiencing devastation and need immediate action! The B.C. Liberal government ignored 25 of 26 recommendations adopted by the the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture. As a last resort we all must support the latest Federal NDP resolution (see below) calling for an action plan (click here for details) to immediately address the salmon crisis including a BC Fishing Summit convened by the Fisheries Minister including all stakeholder groups, First Nations government and fishing representatives and environmental organizations.”
The Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture worked for 18 months and heard from hundreds of witnesses in hearings or through written submissions. The Committee met with government officials, industry representatives, and environmental organizations, workers, First Nations, community leaders and concerned citizens.
Carole James and the New Democrats have called on the province to safeguard and enhance freshwater and saltwater fish stocks by implementing the recommendations of the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture, including the transition to closed containment fish farming within five years as well as strengthening the Salmon Protection Act and re-establishing programs that support the return of salmon and steelhead runs throughout B.C.
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NDP Federal Resolution on West Coast Salmon Crisis - Passed Unanimously at Federal NDP Convention on August 16, 2009.