‘They were not there’: First Nations feel betrayed after fish farm court decision – Canada’s National Observer

April 9th 2021

First Nations backing Ottawa’s plan to phase out salmon farms in the Discovery Islands feel betrayed after a court ruled in favour of aquaculture companies looking to restock fish at their sites in the region.

On Monday, Federal Court Justice Peter George Pamel said Mowi Canada West and Saltstream would suffer substantial harm if they couldn’t transfer juvenile fish into three farm sites in the area.

But Homalco Chief Darren Blaney said the companies’ win comes at the expense of wild salmon and all the First Nations dependent on the fish for food, and economic or cultural reasons.

“The ‘irreparable harm’ — using the judge’s words — will be for the wild salmon,” Blaney said, noting Fraser River sockeye salmon returns are at an all-time low.

Read More: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/04/09/news/first-nations-betrayed-fish-farm-court-decision