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The federal government says it’s phasing out fish farms along a key stretch of a wild salmon migration route in British Columbia waters within the next 18 months.
Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan says 19 fish farms around the Discovery Islands near Campbell River, B.C, are being issued licences that expire on June 30, 2022, and she does not intend to renew them.
“It was a very, very difficult decision, this is not something that I took lightly, recognizing coastal communities will be impacted by this,” Jordan said in an interview. |
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However, the government heard a “resounding” message from seven local First Nations that they wanted the fish farms out, she said. The Discovery Islands are in the traditional territory of the Homalco, Klahoose, K’omoks, Kwaikah, Tla’amin, We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations. |
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